Magical Stones

Magical Stones

            The magical properties of various stones are well attested to in the Jewish tradition. Before we begin, I must note that the modern scientific distinction between mineral and rock (and at times certain organic hard substances we wouldn’t call “rocks”) was not distinguished in the sources to be mentioned, as all fall under the general term אבן “even” which mean stone.

Some of the earliest discussions regarding supernatural abilities of stones are discussed in regards to the twelve stones on the High Priests’ breastplate (Choshen) of which each stone held a particular power. The exact translation of these twelve stones has been a point of much discussion and debate among biblical commentators, rabbis and scholars through the centuries. As an example, Reuben’s red stone (Most often understood to be ruby) is beneficial for an easy birth (either by pulverizing the ruby and ingesting it or being placed on the woman).

            Interestingly, at least one type of stone had to ability to heal merely by looking at it. The Talmud (Baba Batra fol. 16b) relates that: “Abraham hung a certain precious stone from his neck that all who saw it would immediately be healed”.

  אבן טובה היתה תלויה בצוארו של אברהם אבינו שכל הרואה אותה מיד נתרפא

Another passage in the Talmud (Shabbat 66b) discussing supernatural abilities of stones states: “The Sages taught that one may go out with a “tekumah” stone on Sabbath … this leniency applies even if she suspects that she may become pregnant and miscarry.”  Rashi, an important  medieval French rabbi translates this stone in his commentary to the Talmud as קוטיינא  contiene in Old French and explains it is worn by pregnant women to prevent miscarriage.

Interest in the supernatural abilities of stones continued into the middle ages and many European lapidaries were written. I refer the interested reader to Magical jewels of the middle ages and the renaissance particularly in England (Oxford, 1922), which provides an excellent review and study of them. In fact, the Old French lapidaries were the source material for virtually the entire 72 stone Hebrew collection called “Sefer Koach HaAvanim” Book of the Powers (or “virtues”) of the Stones by Rabbi Berakhyah Ben Natronai ha-Nakdan. This was the first medieval lapidary in Hebrew, which in turn became the source material for even later such collections. It was recently printed (in 2005) along with some 29 other small lapidaries in Hebrew in a book entitled “Sefer Segulot HaAvanim HaTovot” –Book of segulot (i.e. supernatural charms) of precious stones” and is widely available in any decent bookstore of Jewish religious texts! Here’s the cover:

For those interested in reading Sefer Koach HaAvanim, it was translated into English as  Sefer Ko’ah ha-Avanim (On the Virtue of the Stones) Hebrew Text and English. Translated by Gerrit Bos and Julia Zwink in 2010 and published by Brill. As with all Brill translations, this is a critical edition and highly recommended.

Out of all 72 stones, I’d like to excerpt just parts I think will be of particular interest.

In stone #1 we learn the following about magnetite: “Magicians carry it with them to be used in their deeds. The one who carries it with him will not dream when he is asleep. It protects from all reptiles, calms wrath and appeases quarrels. It makes wise the fools, and keeps the enemies away. Its force [is active] when one carries it in his hand or in the left wing (sleeve?) of his garment.”

Unfortunately no details are given to how magicians use them in their “deeds”.

In section 29 for Chrysolite (also known as Olivine) we find:

ומי שהלך לבית הוועד אם ישאמה בצוארו בעור צבי הנמצא בבטן אמו לא ימות ויכתוב בו אושיא(ל) בעדיא(ל) הבהיא(ל) היו לי למסעד

“If someone who goes to the council wears it around his neck in the skin of an unborn deer he will not die. He should write on it: Oshei(l) Ba'adie(l) Havhie(l) provide me with assistance.”

The Brill translation interprets “He should write on it” to be i.e. on the skin. I won’t dismiss the possibility that may in fact be the intent here, but it seems equally possible that the intent is to write the angelic formula on the stone itself. As we will soon see, I will bring two examples of magical writing on the stones themselves.

So far we have only discussed stones themselves, we shall now examine two examples of where magical names or seals are to be etched into the stone in order for it have an effect.

The first example is to be found in Bavarian State Library, Munich, Germany Cod. hebr. 214, fol. 52b which states:

A talisman to keep away mosquitoes (alternative translation: gnats).  Etch this figure on a sulfur stone at the rise of the second hour of Taurus. Put it in a place and mosquitoes will not come there. And this is the celestial figure: [three sigils, refer to the illustration].

The second example, from Rabbi Yosef Tirshom’s Sefer Shoson Yesod HaOlam (shelfmark: Bibliothèque de Genève, Comites Latentes 145) starts on  fol. 144 and continues on the top of fol. 145.

This magical stone, after being prepared according to the rituals, allows one to ask of it questions and the stone will provide the anwers in dreams. Instructions for magical “Dream queries” are extremely  common in the Jewish magical manuscripts, however this is the first time I have found one using a stone and so elaborate.

First we are given an extremely lengthy and tiresome prayer asking for God’s help and assistance in this matter, involving many long magical names. Afterwards, the following instructions are given to prepare the stone:  

[fol. 244] Making the stone. Take a large white and round stone. Around it in a circle write this like this [refer to the illustration] being etched into it with a utensil. Between each letter leave a pinkie fingers amount of space and between each word leave a thumbs worth of space. If you are not able to fill it in with the name, write around it, filling it with the name. [fol. 245] The secret of it speaking: You will need to fast for three days in purity before you can place it under your head. If you cannot find it [a white stone] round, then round it out yourself. Before [the etching of the names] write in ink עקר שיט ‘akar shayit and on the northern side write עדיינה ‘adyynah and erase them with water. Then, purify the stone. Afterwards etch the names around it like this with a knife or utensil. Whenever you wish to inquire from it, purify and fast for three days, wearing white clothes and place it under your head. Explanation: This that is to be written עקר שיט ‘akar shayit on one side and עדיינה ‘adyynah on the other side is to be erased in the water that will purify the stone. ידמא פנס [the names in the stones center] stands for: [each letter of the name are the initials of the following which spells out] (י) the secrets (ד) of his word (מ) relate (א) truths (פ) suddenly (נ) miracles (ס) Sodiel [Sod =secrets (of) El= God].

Well then!! That’s some stone! As the instructions are a little convoluted and not exactly in order, I’m going to now rearrange the instructions step by step:

1) Find a large white round stone. (If it’s not round, then round it out)

2) Fast for 3 days in purity (That’s chastity and usually implies to  immerse oneself in a natural body of water or ritualarium daily)

3) Write some magical names, עקר שיט and עדיינה respectively, in ink on opposite sides of the stone

4) Wash the names off with water 

5) Using the water from the last step, immerse and purify the stone in it

6) Etch in the magic names as exactly shown in the diagram leaving a pinkie finger amount of space in between each letter and a thumbs finger amount of space between the words

7) The stone is ready! Repeat step 2 (unless this happens to be the day you’re constructing it, then you’ve been fasting 3 days already) 

8) Don white clothing

9) Place under head, say the prayer and ask your questions

Finally, I would like to draw your attention to the way the names are actually etched on the stone. Some of the Hebrew letters –even mid-word,  are sideways or rotated. To help those that may not be familiar with the script used in the mss., I have  newly reproduced it below: