Notes. Chapter I : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 271 NOTES All Talmudic references are to the Babylonian Talmud except where a prefixed "J". indicates the Jerusalem Talmud CHAPTER I THE LEGEND OF JEWISH SORCERY 1. See B. Monod, REJ, XLVI (1903), 237 ff., referring to Guibert...
Notes. Chapter Xvi : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], CHAPTER XVI ASTROLOGY 1. Thorndike, II, 973, IV, 317; Maimonides, "Mishneh Torah", "Akkum", 11, 8; "Nishmat ayim", III, 21; Moses of Tachau lent his support to this Maimonidean position in his anti-Maimonidean polemic ("Oar Nemad"...
Notes. Chapter Xi : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], CHAPTER XI THE WAR WITH THE SPIRITS 1. Moses Taku, "Oar Nemad", III, 88; "ochmat HaNefesh", 30c; "S. as." 1512, 1566; Glassberg, 226; Gd. III, 100; Rabbinowicz, 21. 2. "R. H." 16b; "Yoma" 20a; Rashi, "R. H." 28a; "Raben", 61;...
10. Amulets : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 132 10 AMULETS MATERIAL OBJECTS ONE of the most popular of magical devices was the amulet, worn upon the person or attached to objects and animals (the Hebrew word for amulet, "kamea", has the root meaning "to bind"). Even...
Appendix Ii. Ms. Sefer Gematriaot, On Gems : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 265 APPENDIX II MS. SEFER GEMATRIAOT, PP. 43A-44B, ON GEMS (Notes on pp. 267-268) This passage closely parallels Baya b. Asher's comment on Ex. 28:17, both apparently being derived from a common source. They were composed...
13. Medicine : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 193 13 MEDICINE MAGIC AND THE DOCTOR MEDIEVAL medicine was a curiously indiscriminate com pound of science and such superstition as we have been describing. The Greek-Arab-Jewish tradition, itself well freighted with a large...
Appendix I. The Formation Of Magical Names : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 260 APPENDIX I THE FORMATION OF MAGICAL NAMES Whence came the multitude of new names that made its way into Jewish mysticism toward the end of the Geonic period and during the Middle Ages? Was it concocted out of pure fancy...
Bibliography. D. Modern Literature : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], D.--MODERN LITERATURE Abelson, J., "Jewish Mysticism", London 1913. Abrahams, Israel, "Jewish Life in the Middle Ages", Philadelphia 1896. Hebrew "Ethical Wills", 2 vols., Philadelphia 1926. Ahrens, W., "Hebrische Amulette mit...
15. Dreams : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 230 15 DREAMS THE DREAM IN HUMAN AFFAIRS IN THE long pre-Freudian centuries, before the mystery of the dream was reduced to all too human terms, when men still listened for the voice of God in the still of the night, dreams...
7. In The Name Of : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 78 7 "IN THE NAME OF..." THE POTENCY OF THE NAME OUTSTANDING among those beliefs that are universally characteristic of the religion of superstition is the conviction that "a man's name is the essence of his being" (one Hebrew...
6. The Powers Of Good : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 69 6 THE POWERS OF GOOD DEPUTY ANGELS THE characteristic and distinguishing feature of medieval Jewish magic was the function which it assigned to the angels, the agents of God. The magical use of angels was of course predicated...
Notes. Chapter Iv : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], CHAPTER IV MAN AND THE DEMONS 1. Ch. V, p. 7a. 2. "Ber." 6a and Rashi; "Git." 68a; Rashi on Nu. 22:23. 3. "Nishmat ayim", III, 27; Isserles to "Yore Deah" 179:16. Prof. Ginzberg considers the statement "they are more God-fearing...
2. The Truth Behind The Legend : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 11 2 THE TRUTH BEHIND THE LEGEND JEWISH MAGIC THE LEGEND of the Jew as sorcerer supreme was of Gentile making, fashioned after the latest pattern of the up-to-date thaumaturge, but like most ready-made fables it fitted the truth...
14. Divination : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 208 14 DIVINATION DETERMINISM VS. FREE WILL THE THORNY problem of free will, which has defeated greater philosophers than German Jewry produced, came no nearer a solution than where the rabbis of the Talmud had left it...
9. The Magical Procedure : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 114 9 THE MAGICAL PROCEDURE A MAGICAL performance was rarely a simple act, such as the recital of a Biblical verse or of a series of names. It was usually determined by such considerations as the qualifications of the magici...
Notes. Appendix I : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 314 APPENDIX I THE FORMATION OF MAGICAL NAMES 1. P. 21. 2. "Raziel", 21h; "Paanea Raza", 37b, note. 3. M. "Suk." 45a; "San." 56a; see on these Blau, 134, n. 2; Gaster, "Sword of Moses", 12; L. Geiger, "Kebuat Maamarim", ed...
16. Astrology : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 249 16 ASTROLOGY WE POSSESS no one body of doctrine that describes so pervasive and dominant a pattern in the fabric of modern life as did the "science" of astrology in the medieval. According to one of the foremost students...
4. Man And The Demons : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 44 4 MAN AND THE DEMONS ATTACK WE may well believe, as we go through this material, that people pay dearly for their superstitions. It is difficult, of course, to judge the emotional tone, the intensity of the terror which...
3. The Powers Of Evil : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 25 3 THE POWERS OF EVIL THE MIDDLE WORLD THE basis of Jewish magic lay the belief in a vast, teeming "middle world," a world neither of the flesh nor altogether and exclusively of the spirit. Demons and angels, to be counted...
Notes. Chapter Iii : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], CHAPTER III THE POWERS OF EVIL 1. Blau, 15-16; "JE", IV, 514 ff. 2. "JE", IV, 519, 520;--Jacob Mann, "New Studies in Karaism, C.C.A.R. Yearbook", XLIV (1934), 221;--see in particular, "Sefer asidim" and the works written by...
Notes. Chapter Xii : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], CHAPTER XII NATURE AND MAN 1. Eleazar of Worms, Commentary on S. Yeirah, 6c; "S. as. B" 1149; "Tishbi", s. v. "bulmos;"--Gd. I, 213; "Raziel", 15a;--"Ma. Vit." 501;--Rashi on Ps. 103:5; Ginzberg, "Legends", V, 51, n. 151; Gdemann...
Glossary Of Hebrew Terms : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 333 GLOSSARY OF HEBREW TERMS "Afikomen"--a cake of unleavened bread eaten at the end of the Passover meal. "Aggada"--non-legal portion of Talmudic literature. "Amora" (pl. "Amoraim")--post-Mishnaic authorities cited...
Notes. Chapter Vii : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], CHAPTER VII "IN THE NAME OF..." 1. See Prof. Lauterbach's essay, "Naming of Children," etc., "CCAR Yearbook", XLII (1932), 356-60; "Ber." 7b; "ag." 3b-4a; "S. as." 363, 364, 366, 375, 377, 1118, 1551, 1552, 1871; "S. as. B" 477;...
Notes. Chapter Ix : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], CHAPTER IX THE MAGICAL PROCEDURE 1. "Raziel", 3a, 4a; cf. Gaster, "Sword of Moses", 28, 48;--Ms. "S. Gematriaot", 36a, 47a, 48b, 57a. 2. See Thorndike, I, 162; Montgomery, 46 f., 56; Marmorstein, "JJV", I (1923), 295. 3. "Shab."...
Bibliography. B. Hebrew Sources, Printed : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], B.--HEBREW SOURCES, PRINTED Abraham b. Nathan (c. 1300), "Sefer HaManhig", Warsaw 1885. Alexander Ssslein HaKohen (d. 1349), "Sefer HaAgguda", Krakau 1571. Baruch b. Isaac (c. 1200), "Sefer HaTerumah", Warsaw 1897. Caro, Joseph b...
1. The Legend Of Jewish Sorcery : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 1 JEWISH MAGIC AND SUPERSTITION 1 THE LEGEND OF JEWISH SORCERY THE anomalous position of the Jew in the modern world is but a latter-day version of the fate that has dogged his footsteps ever since he wandered forth among...
Notes. Chapter Xiv : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], CHAPTER XIV DIVINATION 1. Cf. "Niaon", 57, 145; Eleazar of Worms, "Commentary on S. Yeirah", 14c; "S. as." 14, 391, 1950; "B" 33. 2. "ochmat HaNefesh", 7a, 25b f., 33c-d; Eleazar of Worms, "Commentary", 21d-22a; "Torat HaOlah", II...
Bibliography. A. A Note About The Sources : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 315 BIBLIOGRAPHY A.--A NOTE ABOUT THE SOURCES Although this book is concerned primarily with the Jewish Middle Ages (c. 1000-1600), * it has been necessary to pay considerable attention to source material originating in earlier...
Notes. Chapter Ii : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 273 CHAPTER II THE TRUTH BEHIND THE LEGEND 1. On Biblical magic see J. G. Frazer, "Folk-Lore in the Old Testament", 3 vols., London 1918; T. W. Davies, "Magic, Divination and Demonology Among the Hebrews and Their Neighbors"...
12. Nature And Man : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 181 12 NATURE AND MAN UNDERLYING the popular approach to medicine, and indeed, the entire body of magical and semi-magical procedures, was an intriguing misconception of the nature of the world and its inhabitants. Along with...
Bibliography. C. Hebrew Sources In Manuscript : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], C.--HEBREW SOURCES IN MANUSCRIPT "E ayim", Jewish Theological Seminary Library, N. Y., modern copy of the original by Jacob b. Judah Hazan of London, written in 1287; see, for description, "Catalogue of Adler Mss.", 4055-7, p. 30;...
Abbreviations And Hebrew Titles : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 269 ABBREVIATIONS AND HEBREW TITLES The references under titles are to Bibliography B, The Hebrew Sources, Printed. Agguda--"see" Alexander Ssslein HaKohen. Amude Shlomo--"see" Solomon Luria. AR--Archiv fr Religionswissenschaft...
Notes. Chapter Vi : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], CHAPTER VI THE SPIRITS OF GOOD 1. The Bible speaks of great "hosts" of angels; see, "e.g.", Josh. 5:14, 15, I Kgs. 22: 19, Job 25:3: "Is there any number of His armies?" etc. The Talmudic literature accepts unquestioningly this...
Untitled : * In the background of what has become known as ceremonial magic is medieval Jewish magic. In turn this was based on the Kabbalah, the Jewish traditions known as Haggadah, and other esoteric beliefs. This is a comprehensive review of Jewish magic from the 10th to the 15th century, including a rich...
Preface : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. viii p. ix PREFACE TO UNDERSTAND a people--and through it, humankind--is to see its life whole. This has been a peculiarly difficult task where Jews are concerned, for the vision of the world has been obscured by darkly...
8. The Bible In Magic : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 104 8 THE BIBLE IN MAGIC THE WORD OF GOD THE line that separates magic from religion is exceedingly tenuous, and the magician is never loath to step across it to appropriate for his own purposes purely religious objects...
5. The Spirits Of The Dead : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 61 5 THE SPIRITS OF THE DEAD THE ties that bind man to his home and his associates are insoluble--even death cannot part them. Long after the body has departed this life, the spirit still frequents its ancient haunts...
Title Page : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], JEWISH MAGIC AND SUPERSTITION A STUDY IN FOLK RELIGION JOSHUA TRACHTENBERG New York: Behrman's Jewish Book House [1939] Scanned, proofed and formatted by John Bruno Hare , January 2008. This text is in the public domain in the US...
Notes. Chapter X : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], CHAPTER X AMULETS 1. Cf. "JE", I, 546 ff.; Blau 86 ff.; Ashkenazi, "Taam Zekenim", 56; "S. as." 367, 1455, 1457. An early Yiddish "Vrauen Bchlein" ("Mivat HaNashim", Venice 1552, ch. 47) reassured its pious readers that the wom...
11. The War With The Spirits : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], p. 153 11 THE WAR WITH THE SPIRITS IT IS erroneous to assume that magic is practiced exclusively by professionals, or that it represents always a conscious, deliberate act. As Karl Goldmark once said, "Civilized people lose their...
Notes. Chapter Xiii : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], CHAPTER XIII MEDICINE 1. See Gd. I, 197-8, 212, III, 130, 196 ff.;--Krauss, "Gesch. jd. rzte", 43, 52-3, 58-9; "JE", VIII, 417;--Thorndike, IV, 126;--Steinschneider, "HB", XVII (1877), 60-61; see Julius Preuss...
Notes. Chapter Viii : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], CHAPTER VIII THE BIBLE IN MAGIC 1. "Joseph Ome", pp. 277-8; "Yore Deah", 179:9 and the commentaries; "S. as." 818; "Amude Shlomo" on "Semag", I, 51; Landshuth, p. xx; Perles, "Graetz Jubelschrift", p. 28. Wuttke, 144, writes...
Notes. Chapter V : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], CHAPTER V THE SPIRITS OF THE DEAD 1. "S. as." 305; "Rokea" 313, p. 79b; Moses Taku, "Oar Nemad", III, 88; "Nishmat ayim" III, 3; "REJ", XXV (1892), 4. On Jewish polypsychism see Ginzberg, "Legends", V, 74, n. 18; "JE", III, 458;...
Notes. Chapter Xv : * "Jewish Magic and Superstition", by Joshua Trachtenberg, [1939], CHAPTER XV DREAMS 1. Cf. Thorndike, I, 123; Gd. I, 81-2; "Semag", Introd.; Gross, "Gallia Judaica", 20; "Nishmat ayim", Introd.; see "JE", IV, 654 ff. and A. Kristianpoller, "Traum und Traumdeutung, Monumenta Talmudica", IV...
