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Jewish Magic and Superstition: A Study in Folk Religion (Forgotten Books) [Paperback]

Joshua Trachtenberg
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

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Book Description

February 7, 2008
Book Description:

"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 lode of folklore. Many well-known Jewish traditions are explained, such as why a glass is broken at a wedding, and how the expression mazel tov is related to a belief in Astrology. Trachtenberg deals extensively with Golems, Succubi, the Lillim, (from Lilith--Adam's first wife), and other magical creatures, some well known such as werewolves, and others not so well, such as estrie, mare and broxa. There are detailed descriptions of talismans, amulets, charms, and other curious magical objects. There are chapters dealing with dream interpretation, medical beliefs, necromancy, and other forms of divination. There is also a short glossary, so if you are having trouble telling the difference between a Kaddish and a Kiddush, you're in luck." (Quote from sacred-texts.com)

Table of Contents:

Publisher's Preface; Preface; Notes; The Legend Of Jewish Sorcery; The Truth Behind The Legend; The Powers Of Evil; Man And The Demons; The Spirits Of The Dead; The Powers Of Good; "in The Name Of . . ."; The Bible In Magic; The Magical Procedure; Amulets; The War With The Spirits; Nature And Man; Medicine; Divination; Dreams; Astrology; Appendix I. The Formation Of Magical Names; Appendix ii. Ms. Sefer Gematriaot, On Gems; Abbreviations And Hebrew Titles; Bibliography; A.—a Note About The Sources; B.—hebrew Sources, Printed; C.—hebrew Sources In Manuscript; D.—modern Literature; Glossary Of Hebrew Terms; Endnotes

About the Publisher:

Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, Esoteric and Mythology. www.forgottenbooks.org

Forgotten Books is about sharing information, not about making money. All books are priced at wholesale prices. We are also the only publisher we know of to print in large sans-serif font, which is proven to make the text easier to read and put less strain on your eyes.

Frequently Bought Together

Jewish Magic and Superstition: A Study in Folk Religion (Forgotten Books) + The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic and Mysticism + Magic of the Ordinary: Recovering the Shamanic in Judaism
Price for all three: $38.07

Buy the selected items together


Editorial Reviews

Review

Of all the charges against the Jewish people the one that has enjoyed the hardiest tenacity and the utmost notoriety, and has produced the direct consequences, is the ritual murder accusation. In its popular version it foists upon Jewish ritual the requirement of Christian blood at the Passover service. The subject of much study and infinitely more polemics, its absurdity has been conclusively established, but the true nature of the accusation has never been made sufficiently clear. The legend as we know it has experienced several redactions - and of the idea of the Jew as sorcerer. --excerpt from 'Jewish Magic and Superstition' --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

About the Author:

"The author, Joshua Trachtenberg (b. 1904, d. 1959) was a reform rabbi on the east coast of the US. This is an elaboration of his Columbia University Ph.D. thesis. Trachtenberg's appreciation of the role of folk-magic in Jewish culture is important for the study of Judaism, and also the roots of modern Pagan beliefs and practices." (Quote from sacred-texts.com)

Product Details

  • Paperback: 382 pages
  • Publisher: Forgotten Books (February 7, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1605067598
  • ISBN-13: 978-1605067599
  • Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,125,796 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
(7)
4.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Good high level review, lack of flesh and details. July 28, 2004
By Uri Raz
Format:Paperback
This is an excellent introduction to the subject of Judaism and magic & superstition.

It covers broad territory - powers of good & evil, demons, holy names, medicine, amulets, divination, dreams, and more - and supplies an extensive bibliography for those interested to continue studying any of the subjects in the book.

What I didn't find in the book is details or flesh - the book has a lot of breadth, but just scratches the surface on each of the subjects. Also, the book gives details about the customs of German Jews at specific centuries, but rarely mentions customs of, say, Jews from Islamic countries.

So if you're looking for an introduction, this is the book for you. If you're looking for depth, I suggest books such as Aryeh Kaplan's.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating book about Jewish superstitions April 14, 2007
Format:Paperback
I consulted this book almost constantly while writing my historical novels, Rashi's Daughters, Book 1: Joheved and Rashi's Daughters, Book II: Miriam. For a long time it was out of print and I'm so glad to see it's available in a new printing. Don't look for Kabbalah in this book though; it's almost all from medieval and Talmudic sources. I wish the bibliography was better.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Text January 3, 2007
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This was one of the books assigned as a text for a graduate-level history course, and it was a really excellent overview of the topic. It is quoted by just about every scholar of the subject who followed.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This review is about the context of this work, Jewish Magic and Superstition, and not about this edition, per se. It seems that this book has gone into public domain and Forgotten Books is one of several companies that is making this work available to the general public. I know this because I accidentally misplaced my first copy and found it around the time I received this edition from Amazon. The "other" edition, published by The University of Pennsylvania Press has a purple cover with a medieval art-inscription underneath the title and inside is a reproduction of "Popular Medieval Amulet to Protect the Mother and Child Against an Attack by Lilith". And, unlike the Forgotten Press ed., the pages are a light cream color as opposed to white. The fonts, text, annotations and bibliography are identical. Either copy is priceless to own.

About the text. It is a comprehensive and explicit look at some of the practices believed to have been a part of the Jewish experience in the periods just before, during and right after in medieval Western Europe. This is not a text that covers an exhaustive look at all Jewish superstitious beliefs nor for all periods of Jewish existence. That would be impossible for even 10 volumes. For a look at Jewish beliefs of Eastern Europe, I highly recommend, The Book of Legends: Sefer Ha Aggadah.

Some of the topics, Rabbi Joshua Trachtenberg (of blessed memory) used as a part of his doctoral dissertation, "The Powers of Evil"-- thoughts concerning the makeup, work and influence of evil. "Man and The Demons," "In the Name of..."-- using incantations of Biblical phrases and divine names. "Amulets," "Dreams," "Astrology" are also covered thoroughly.

One reviewer erroneously stated that this book "only scratches the surface...
... Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended highly March 16, 2013
By LR
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
For the student of Jewish magic, this is a must have book. Trachtenberg is able to explain difficult concepts in a clear and concise manner for the reader who is not acquainted with either Judaism or magic. Also recommended for the student of Western Occultism and comparative religion.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Do you believe in magic? October 23, 2010
By Len
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is the author's doctoral thesis from Hebrew Union College and was first published in 1939. Yet it is accessible to the general reader. It is fascinating to see the probable origins of so many traditional Jewish practices. The need for what is described as magical interventions was so strong the the Rabbis of old could not always disallow them. The question of the divide between what constitutes faith versus what is magic and superstition will likely arise in the reader but it is not the intention of this book to speak to this. There are a few frustration with this book. The author makes many assertions without being referenced, despite the plethora of other scholarly citations. Also there are frequent quotations in German, a language that scholarly readers of that day would know, but they are left untranslated in this edition. Finally, there is no index, though there is a glossary and othre supporting material.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly sophisticated March 2, 2009
By Eliyahu
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The style is a little old-fashioned, but the book is a surprisingly sophisticated, knowledgeable and even-handed account of Jewish traditions of magic in northern European communities in the late middle ages. An entertaining treatment of a subject that is not well known or understood.
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