Guide
Magic in Rabbinic Literature
1st–6th Centuries
Restricted
By Carol Bakhos
Although Deuteronomy (18:–) explicitly prohibits different kinds of sorcery, rabbinic literature demonstrates that many magical practices were permitted and widely practiced, even by the rabbis themselves. Rabbinic writings are filled with references to amulets, spells, the evil eye, encounters with demons, and magical tales.
Related Primary Sources
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Bronze Evil Eye Amulet
This amulet was discovered near Mount Arbel in the Galilee. It bears four Greek letters, I A W Θ (iota, alpha, omega, theta), representing the divine name (YHWH in Hebrew). A rider on a galloping…
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Who Is Considered a Sorcerer?
The sorcerer [mekhashef] who performs a deed is liable [to death by stoning] but not he who creates an optical illusion. R. Akiva said in the name of R. Joshua: [What is a scenario in which] two men…
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What Constitutes Forbidden Magic?
When R. Eliezer fell sick, R. Akiva and his companions went to visit him [ . . . ] [and R. Eliezer said,] “I have studied three hundred”—and some state three thousand—“rulings about the planting of…
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The Righteous Create Beings
Rava says: If the righteous wish, they can create a world, as it is written: But your iniquities have separated [you and your God] (Isaiah 59:2).
Rava created a man and sent him…
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Rabbinic Amulets
Reeds that are near a town have no fewer than sixty demons. A certain town official went and relieved himself among the reeds and was endangered. A certain sage came and wrote him an amulet for one…
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Prescriptions and Incantations
For boils, one should say: BZBZYH MSMSYH KSKSYH ShDL’Y and ’SKL’Y these are the angels who were sent from the land of Sodom [in order] to heal boils and pain BZK BZYK KMN KMYN KMYN KMN your eyes in…