The Messiah of Sin: Jacob Frank’s Dark Guide to Conquering the World (Jews 3) — Prof. Jiang Xueqin

Jacob Frank, born into a Zabatian family after the death of Zabati Zebi, considered himself Zebi's reincarnation. He expanded and systematized Zebi's teachings, differentiating them from traditional Judaism. Frank gained many followers and built alliances with European nobility, leading his disciples to prominent positions in society. His new religion, Frankism, was founded on the principle of individual success and world conquest, contrasting with Jewish faith and even expressing disdain for Jews.

Frank's philosophy questions why individuals must suffer if God is forgiving and desires wisdom. He proposed that instead, people should 'hack the system,' break rules, and become 'kings' by conquering the material world. He believed in mastering and conquering the world, rather than spiritual suffering. His teachings, documented by his followers, served as a guide for world domination, resembling Machiavelli's 'The Prince.' Frank used storytelling as a powerful tool to embed his ideas, shaping followers' perceptions of reality and themselves.

One story features Frank peeling an orange with a knife on the Sabbath, despite a Jewish scholar's warning. Frank then cleverly plants the knife on the scholar, implying the scholar also violated the Sabbath. This story illustrates Frank's contempt for Jewish law and his strategy of using people's rigid adherence to rules against them. He manipulates the scholar, making him believe in Frank's divine power. This tale highlights Frank's view that people's ignorance and strictness make them easily exploitable, and he encourages exploiting their superstitions for control.

In a second story, set during a plague, Frank's servant acquires goods without paying, as sellers die from the plague after each transaction. Frank interprets this literally as an opportunity to profit from fear, and metaphorically as seeing the world as a 'corpse' that allows him to 'ascend above' others. This illustrates his 'justification by sin' concept: true faith is demonstrated by breaking human laws and conventions, as these only hinder one's potential. By casting the world as a 'corpse,' Frank asserts the ability to dominate and exploit it, believing God would grant success to those with true faith, regardless of their actions by human standards.