Abraham Miguel Cardozo (1627-1706) is known primarily as a follower and defender of the false messiah Sabbatai Zevi. He was that, indeed; but he was a great deal more than that as well. Cardozo was one of the most vivid, complex and original personalities to emerge within Judaism during the seventeenth century. An early modern Jew, he was above all an individual. Like his contemporary Spinoza, Cardozo suffered horribly for his individuality. Yet he remained faithful until his death -- his strange, violent, eerily messianic death -- to what he believed to be the true and authentic Jewish faith. Cardozo deserves to be known for himself. Book jacket.