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.

Awards

• Winner of the Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2009

Reviews & endorsements

'… this is a lively, exhaustively researched, theoretically mature, and always informative book. It should certainly be required reading of anyone delving into the question of magic in earliest Christianity or the status of the rabbi.' Bryn Mawr Classical Review

Customer reviews

Product details

• Date Published: February 2011
• format: Paperback
• isbn: 9780521180986
• length: 494 pages

• dimensions: 229 x 153 x 21 mm
• weight: 0.78kg
• contains: 15 b/w illus.
• availability: Available