the Spell-loosener of R.

Hanina ben Dosa

Two such texts of Jewish-Hermetic origin (if such a combination is allowed), cou
ld be added to the discussion of the Greek texts. One of them, based on Ms. Vati
can Ebr. 216, ff. 4-6, ff. 4-6, is called Pishra de-Rabbi Hanina ben Dosa.12 In a
long Aramaic text, assumed not to be later than the 8th century, the author give
s instructions to a magician, what to do, that is how to solve (=pishra) all sorts
of problems that he is confronted with. Each of the cases should be directed to
a different angel, first ignoring the days of the week. However, later the auth
or directs that his procedures for solving the situation depend strictly on the da
ys of the week, the days of the month, the months under a specific zodiac sign,
and the hours under a specific planet. In other words, magic, angelology and ast
rology combined, all aim to cure all sorts of ailments.
Gideon
Bohak, TelnAviv University, Israel
Title: A Late Antique Babylonian Magical Text in Modern Jewish Amulets from Mor
occo
Abstract:
The text known as the "Pishra de Rabbi Hanina ben Dosa" is an anti-witchcraft sp
ell, intended to
dissolve all evil magic acts performed against a certain individual. It is writt
en in Babylonian Jewish Aramaic,
and displays the direct influence of older Babylonian spells against witches. Mo
reover, it seems to have
enjoyed a great popularity in the Jewish magical tradition, as may be seen from
its attestation in at least nine
different fragments from the Cairo Genizah. It is also found in medieval Jewish
manuscripts from Ashkenaz and
from the Orient, and was thus far edited only from one, poorly preserved, Ashken
azi copy.
But perhaps its most surprising attestation is on two twentieth century amulets
from Morocco, which were
beautifully produced by an experienced scribe. In my talk, I shall briefly surve
y the origins and transmission
history of the Pishra, but focus especially on the two amulets from Morocco, and
on the ancient origins of some
Modern Jewish amulets.
In a text called Pishra de-Rabbi Hanina ben Dosa, the influence of Hermetic litera
ture on Jewish matters can be seen. In a long text in Aramaic, assumed to be fro
m around the 5th till the 8th century, the author gives instructions to a magici
an, what to do, that is how to solve (=pishra) all sorts of problems when he is as
ked. Each of the cases should be directed to a different angel, first without be
ing aware of the days of the week. However, later the author directs that his pr
ocedures of solving the situation depend strictly on the days of the week, the day
s of the month, the months under a specific zodiacal sign, and the hours under a
specific planet. That is to say, magic, angelology and hemerology combined, all
aim to cure all sorts of ailments.