Bloodletting and Washing Hands

Aramaic

The demon [ruling over] foodstuffs is called neki’ah [clean]; the demon appointed over poverty is called nevil [folly; or, nevul, filth]. Filth on the spout of a pitcher leads to poverty. He who drinks filthy water is liable to a cataract. He who eats cress without washing his hands will suffer fear for thirty days.

He who stanches [blood] without washing his hands will be afraid for seven days. He who cuts his hair without washing his hands will be afraid three days. He who pares his nails without washing his hands will be afraid one day without knowing what frightens him.

Translated by Markham J. Geller and Lennart Lehmhaus.