Ancient Jewish Magic: A History

Gideon Bohak gives a pioneering account of the broad history of ancient Jewish magic, from the Second Temple to the rabbinic period. It is based both on ancient magicians' own compositions and products in Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek, and on the descriptions and prescriptions of non-magicians, to reconstruct a historical picture that is as balanced and nuanced as possible. The main focus is on the cultural make-up of ancient Jewish magic, and special attention is paid to the processes of cross-cultural contacts and borrowings between Jews and non-Jews, as well as to inner-Jewish creativity. Other major issues explored include the place of magic within Jewish society, contemporary Jewish attitudes to magic, and the identity of its practitioners. Throughout, the book seeks to explain the methodological underpinnings of all sound research in this demanding field, and to highlight areas where further research is likely to prove fruitful.

Author: Gideon Bohak
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 02/01/2008
Pages: 494
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 2.04lbs
Size: 9.01h x 6.38w x 1.40d
ISBN: 9780521874571

Review Citation(s):
Choice 01/01/2009

About the Author
Bohak, Gideon: - Gideon Bohak teaches in the Department of Jewish Culture, Tel-Aviv University. He is author of Joseph and Aseneth and the Jewish Temple in Heliopolis (1996).

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