Welcome to the Jewish Magic Blog! So, what is this blog going to be (and not be) about? For several years, I've been sharing my studies and research of the practical side of Kabbalah -Jewish magic, with my colleagues and interested friends on a more of a one to one basis. I hope that my posting my studies in a blog format it can further the conversations by allowing comments and facilitate dialogue among a wider audience. If you don't know me from before and you've just happened to stumble upon this blog -welcome!
I intend to cover the following topics:
- My studies on Hebrew manuscripts pertaining to magic
- Selected translations of interest
- Book reviews relating to Jewish magic
- Updates on my publications
I will not be:
- Offering any personal advice in employment of any magical technique, blessings or curses or anything else not listed above
Thank you for visiting and enjoy!
-Rabbi Yosef M. Cohen
Please note: All manuscript translations are copyright protected and may be used only for non-commercial private use.
Thank you for these contributions! I look forward to your future work. Be a blessing!
ReplyDeleteHi AviOr, thanks for your comment. More posts are on the way! ;)
DeleteYour work is great. I'm studying now Sefer Shorshei HaShemot and there are references to magic circles there, particular under a shem to be used for tashbiat sheidim. I'm curious if you can point me in the proper direction for resources on circle-craft in the sifrei Kabbalah? I figured these would be highly problematic due to the איסור למחוק את השם והכנוים, granted though this is due to my primary familiarity with magical circles coming from Solomonic grimoires rather than from traditional Judaism. תודה רבה, חזק ואמץ!
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks for your comment. Although more intricate magic circles are specified in a few rituals, almost all the time it merely involves taking a knife or sword (often with a black handle) and etching a circle around the person creating a separate "domain" רשות היחיד that the demon cannot enter. I have it from reliable sources that in North Africa both Jews and Arabs would use thick salt (probably like our "kosher salt") to create a magic circle of protection when dealing with demons.
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