Jewish Magic and Superstition

Jewish Magic and Superstition
Author: Joshua Trachtenberg
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press
Total Pages: 393
Release: 2012-10-08
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0812208331

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Alongside the formal development of Judaism from the eleventh through the sixteenth centuries, a robust Jewish folk religion flourished—ideas and practices that never met with wholehearted approval by religious leaders yet enjoyed such wide popularity that they could not be altogether excluded from the religion. According to Joshua Trachtenberg, it is not possible truly to understand the experience and history of the Jewish people without attempting to recover their folklife and beliefs from centuries past. Jewish Magic and Superstition is a masterful and utterly fascinating exploration of religious forms that have all but disappeared yet persist in the imagination. The volume begins with legends of Jewish sorcery and proceeds to discuss beliefs about the evil eye, spirits of the dead, powers of good, the famous legend of the golem, procedures for casting spells, the use of gems and amulets, how to battle spirits, the ritual of circumcision, herbal folk remedies, fortune telling, astrology, and the interpretation of dreams. First published more than sixty years ago, Trachtenberg's study remains the foundational scholarship on magical practices in the Jewish world and offers an understanding of folk beliefs that expressed most eloquently the everyday religion of the Jewish people.

Jewish Magic and Superstition

Jewish Magic and Superstition
Author: Joshua Trachtenberg
Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan
Total Pages: 321
Release: 2021-01-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN:

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Jewish Magic and Superstition by Joshua Trachtenberg: Delve into the fascinating world of Jewish mysticism and folklore with Joshua Trachtenberg's exploration of Jewish magic and superstition. This thought-provoking book uncovers the mystical beliefs, rituals, and traditions that have shaped Jewish culture throughout history, shedding light on the intersection of religion and supernatural practices. Key Aspects of the Book “Jewish Magic and Superstition”: Explores the rich tapestry of Jewish magical beliefs and practices, ranging from amulets and charms to divination and spellcasting. Provides historical and cultural context for understanding the significance of magical traditions within Jewish communities. Examines the role of superstitions and magical beliefs in Jewish folklore, offering insights into the human desire for protection, healing, and spiritual connection. Joshua Trachtenberg was a renowned American author and scholar whose writings focused on the intersection of religion, folklore, and history. Born in Poland and later immigrating to the United States, Trachtenberg brought a unique perspective to his works, blending his deep knowledge of Jewish mysticism and cultural traditions with rigorous academic research. His seminal work, Jewish Magic and Superstition, explored the mystical practices and beliefs of the Jewish people, shedding light on centuries-old customs and revealing the intricate tapestry

The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic & Mysticism

The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic & Mysticism
Author: Geoffrey W. Dennis
Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide
Total Pages: 561
Release: 2016-02-08
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 0738748145

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Jewish esotericism is the oldest and most influential continuous occult tradition in the West. Presenting lore that can spiritually enrich your life, this one-of-a-kind encyclopedia is devoted to the esoteric in Judaism—the miraculous and the mysterious. In this second edition, Rabbi Geoffrey W. Dennis has added over thirty new entries and significantly expanded over one hundred other entries, incorporating more knowledge and passages from primary sources. This comprehensive treasury of Jewish teachings, drawn from sources spanning Jewish scripture, the Talmud, the Midrash, the Kabbalah, and other esoteric branches of Judaism, is exhaustively researched yet easy to use. It includes over one thousand alphabetical entries, from Aaron to Zohar Chadesh, with extensive cross-references to related topics and new illustrations throughout. Drawn from the well of a great spiritual tradition, the secret wisdom within these pages will enlighten and empower you. Praise: "An erudite and lively compendium of Jewish magical beliefs, practices, texts, and individuals...This superb, comprehensive encyclopedia belongs in every serious library."—Richard M. Golden, Director of the Jewish Studies Program, University of North Texas, and editor of The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft: The Western Tradition "Rabbi Dennis has performed a tremendously important service for both the scholar and the novice in composing a work of concise information about aspects of Judaism unbeknownst to most, and intriguing to all."—Rabbi Gershon Winkler, author of Magic of the Ordinary: Recovering the Shamanic in Judaism

Divination, Magic, and Healing

Divination, Magic, and Healing
Author: Ronald H. Isaacs
Publisher: Jason Aronson
Total Pages: 216
Release: 1998
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9780765799517

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Ancient Jewish Magic

Ancient Jewish Magic
Author: Gideon Bohak
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2011-02-24
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780521180986

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Gideon Bohak gives a pioneering account of the broad history of ancient Jewish magic, from the Second Temple to the rabbinic period. It is based both on ancient magicians' own compositions and products in Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek, and on the descriptions and prescriptions of non-magicians, to reconstruct a historical picture that is as balanced and nuanced as possible. The main focus is on the cultural make-up of ancient Jewish magic, and special attention is paid to the processes of cross-cultural contacts and borrowings between Jews and non-Jews, as well as to inner-Jewish creativity. Other major issues explored include the place of magic within Jewish society, contemporary Jewish attitudes to magic, and the identity of its practitioners. Throughout, the book seeks to explain the methodological underpinnings of all sound research in this demanding field, and to highlight areas where further research is likely to prove fruitful.

Messianic Mystics

Messianic Mystics
Author: Moshe Idel
Publisher: Yale University Press
Total Pages: 470
Release: 2000-05-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780300082883

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One of the worl'ds leading scholars of Jewish thought examines the long tradition of Jewish messianism and mystical experience.

The Cambridge History of Magic and Witchcraft in the West

The Cambridge History of Magic and Witchcraft in the West
Author: David J. Collins, S. J.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 897
Release: 2015-03-02
Genre: History
ISBN: 1316239497

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This book presents twenty chapters by experts in their fields, providing a thorough and interdisciplinary overview of the theory and practice of magic in the West. Its chronological scope extends from the Ancient Near East to twenty-first-century North America; its objects of analysis range from Persian curse tablets to US neo-paganism. For comparative purposes, the volume includes chapters on developments in the Jewish and Muslim worlds, evaluated not simply for what they contributed at various points to European notions of magic, but also as models of alternative development in ancient Mediterranean legacy. Similarly, the volume highlights the transformative and challenging encounters of Europeans with non-Europeans, regarding the practice of magic in both early modern colonization and more recent decolonization.