Obj. ID: 54070 Shemirah le-Yeled ule-Yoledet, Casablanca, circa 1930
sub-set tree:
M | Magen David
H | Human Figure | Hand
O | Ornamentation: | Full page framed
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The following description was prepared by William Gross:
From earliest times, man has tried to protect himself from misfortune by the use of objects that 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 the 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.
This amulet was printed for the protection of a birthing mother and her child. Outside of the texts, the main power is from the central image of the realistically presented right hand. This is one of a number of amulets and other printed pages written by, sponsored by or published by Avraham Alloun in Casablanca.
Avraham Alloun was a Rabbi, paitan, and author of holy poetry and Ksidot (stories). Alloun made his living by publishing amulets, Kasidot, calendars, and other single pages. It is told that he would take the publications from the printer on his bicycle and sell them on street corners in the Jewish area of Casablanca. There are 39 items published by Alloun in the Gross Family Collection. He made Aliyah to Israel and died there in Jerusalem. According to the decorations, this was printed by Yehudah Razon in Casablanca.
Publisher: Avraham Ben Alloun