Obj. ID: 53999
Sacred and Ritual Objects Eshet Chayil Mi Yimtzah..., Meknes, circa 1930
The following description was prepared by William Gross:
From earliest times, man has tried to protect himself from misfortune by the use of objects which he considered holy or otherwise (e.g., magically) potent. Amulets and talismans are items generally worn around the neck or wrist, carried in a pocket or purse or hung on a wall. They are meant to protect or aid those who carried or wore them. The Hebrew word for amulet, kame‘a, has the root meaning "to bind". Jewish amulets are usually comprised of texts (either letters or graphic symbols) that are inscribed on some sort of material; some may also contain plant matter or precious stones. The texts of amulets usually include holy names that are believed to have the ability to affect reality, along with incantations summoning angels or other magical powers. For the most part, an amulet has a specific purpose: to ease childbirth, facilitate recovery from illness, improve one’s livelihood, and so on, but in the modern world many are also made for general protection.
There exist in the Gross family collection more amulets printed on paper from Morocco than from any other country. These were printed in several cities by various publishers, virtually all of them from the 20th century which was the time for the beginning of Hebrew printing in Morocco with few exceptions. Many of these contained elements in common, mostly featuring the hamsa, and were often printed on colored paper.
A rare prayer/amulet for a pregnant woman, given for a contribution to a Holy Society of Bikur Cholim in Meknes. The sheet is printed in both Hebrew and Judeo-Arabic. Printed amulets from Meknes are virtually unknown.
Publisher: Chevrat Bikur Cholim