Jay Michaelson delves into the radical paths of Judaism and its spiritual depth. His writing explores the interconnectedness of all things within the divine, often emphasizing nondual perspectives. Michaelson has undertaken deep meditation retreats, influencing his worldview and literary output. His works invite readers to explore profound levels of existence and spirituality.
Interconnected tales explore the themes of mysticism and heresy, intertwining faith and desire. The collection delves into provocative narratives that challenge conventional beliefs, showcasing the author's unique storytelling style. Through these stories, readers are invited to reflect on the complexities of spirituality and the human experience.
Introduction: The boundary crosser -- "I tell you everything and tell you nothing" : charlatan, fool, deviant, heretic--who was Jacob Frank? -- "I do not look to heaven but at what God does here on Earth" : Frankist antinomianism as materialist skepticism -- "Everything that is of the spirit has to be turned into flesh" : magic, myth, and the material imaginaire -- "To make a man in wholeness, stable and possessing eternal life" : the occult quest for immortality -- "With this deed we go to the naked thing" : sexual antinomianism as mystical messianism -- "We have no need of books of Kabbalah" : rejecting Kabbalah and Sabbateanism -- "The gods of freemasonry will have to do that which those two did" : Frankism as Western esotericism -- "All religions change and go beyond the borders laid down by their ancestors" : foreshadowing secularism and spirituality.