Magic Texts
Back to the article Birth Rite – Birthing Amulets Psalm of Afflictions The Talmud (Shevuot 15b) calls Psalm 91 and the preceding verse “the song of afflictions” and claims it can ward off demons....
Chen Avizohar-Hagay
A doctoral student researching childbirth magic in the Jewish Thought Department at Ben- Gurion University of the Negev
An Amulet Explained
Back to the article Birth Rite – Birthing Amulets Photo: Zohar Shemesh, Israel Museum Collection, Jerusalem Each amulet in this set is dominated by a drawing of an animal-shaped angel topped by the name of...
Birth Rite – Birthing Amulets
Prior to effective medical techniques, amulets were a trusted method of protecting believers at their most vulnerable. To keep newborns and their motheres safe, Jews drew on prayers, incantations, and legends of creation as well...
