Obj. ID: 51780  La-Menatzeach ba-Neginot Mizmor Shir, Israel/Eretz Israel

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.

This amulet is written in Ktav Ashurit on a large beautiful piece of parchment. In the center is menorah comprised of Psalm 67. Two columns on either side contain the Seder Pitom Ketoret (the composition of the incense), which is believed to be a segulah for various things, including financial prosperity. According to the Zohar there is a decree from before Hashem that anyone who says the Ketoret everyday will be saved from all the ‘black magic’ that exists in the world, bad circumstances that may befall a person, prevent impure thoughts and he will not be damaged that entire day, for the Satan has no power over him. One should be careful, however, to read the words and not say them by heart. This is because the reading of the Ketoret is in place of the Ketoret that was brought in the Temple, and there was a very severe punishment if anyone left out any of the ingredients.

Other sources discuss the benefits of reading the Ketoret daily from a kosher parchment on which it is written in ktav ashurit.