Guide
Ancient Jewish Magical Texts and Artifacts
4th Century BCE–6th Century CE
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By Carol Bakhos
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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…