Amulets for Love

The first three of these four amulets, found in the Cairo Geniza, refer to biblical figures and, unlike many other amulets and magical potions, do not invoke mystical names of God or the angels. One amulet leaves space to add an individual’s name, rendered here as “N b. N” (So-and-so the son [or daughter] of So-and-so). The fourth turns to Tzadqiel—the angel appointed over Thursday and the planet Jupiter (in Hebrew, tsedek)—for assistance in the business of Shalom ben Zuhra. The planet Jupiter was generally associated with, among other things, success in business. According to the eighth- or ninth-century Teaching of Samuel (Baraita de Shemu’el), Jupiter is appointed “over life, peace, beneficence, tranquility, and calm; over the Torah, joy, and vivaciousness, over wealth, honor, and position.” In addition to the two here, a third amulet for Shalom ben Zuhra survives. The ellipses indicate a lacuna in the manuscript.