Obj. ID: 51913 Shmirah leha-Yeled, circa 1930
sub-set tree:
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 is a primitive hand written copy of the classic text amulet printed so often in Europe. It contains most of the elements often found on birth amulets. The names of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs are printed on the amulet, as well as the "Shir le-Ma’alot” (Psalm 121) prayer and specific formulas aimed at thwarting the evil influence of Lilith. The invocation of the names of the three angels, Sanoi, Sansanoi and Smangalaf, printed here, are aimed at the same protection. There are additional texts here that do not regularly appear on this type that indicate this was probably written in Eretz Israel.