M | Menorah | Menorah with Psalm 67
O | Ornamentation: | Full page framed
O | Ornamentation: | Full page framed | Full page framed by text
B | Bouquet of flowers
V | Vase
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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.
The top page of this folded parchment is a typical form of prayer book-sized Shiviti. But the other three pages contain the text of different types, including the kabbalistic "Pitom Haketoret". The pages also contain the name of a man to whom this was dedicated but do not contain the name of the scribe. This is one of two such amulets in the Gross Family Collection, the second being 027.023.339. It appears that this is a special form originating in Jerusalem.
Made For: Baruch ben Mordekhai Cohen