Magical Spell

Unknown

11th Century

About This Entry

This Hebrew fragment appears to come from a collection of magical formularies and contains parts of three different spells: the first for uncovering lost money, the second to protect against forgetfulness, and the third to attain love. The Aramaic phrase “Ratzaphatzpha and his ten sons” suggests that the author borrowed it from an earlier Aramaic tradition, though the meaning of “Ratzaphatzpha” is unclear. Ellipses indicate lacunae in the manuscript.

Chapter for [finding] hidden money that no one knows where it is buried—he should take a white rooster and feed it old wine for seven days, and then write [the names] on a slate, and tie it to its right wing, and bury it in the place where the creature goes to dig. And these are the names you should write: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Suriel, Hamariel, Kedushiel, Madabniel, Madaniel, Vakashmiel, Barakiel, Mugiel, Takaphael; visions of God, God, God, Amen, Amen, Amen, Selah, completed, etc.

. . . and crush it, and place it on your head when you come out of the bathhouse—it will ward off forgetfulness from your heart and strengthen your head and brighten your eyes, Amen, completed.

Chapter for [acquiring] love and affection—write with musk and saffron and tie it to your right side, so that you will meet those you want, and you should write as follows: Save me, O God, for the waters have come in up to the soul (Psalms 69:2). In the merit of Ratzaphatzpha and his ten sons, let the heart of So-and-so, daughter of So-and-so, be beloved by So-and-so, son of [So-and-so]. Completed, etc.

Source: JTS ENA 1177.20.

Translated by Avi Steinhart.