The Key of Solomon (1903) - Page 13

to procure for himself all the delights and pleasures in which he indulged. A glance at the work The Gate of Desire original: "שער החשק" (Sha'ar Ha-Heshek), a philosophical and kabbalistic commentary on the Song of Songs by Johanan Allemanno. (Livorno, 1790) by the renowned Johanan Allemanno (15th century), and at the Responsum A formal written reply by a rabbinic scholar to an inquiry on Jewish law. of Rabbi Jacob Provenciale, 1490, (in the collection Words of the Wise original: "דברי חכמים" (Divrei Chachamim) by Elieser Ashkenasi, Metz, 1849), is sufficient to inform us as to the number of apocryphal Works of unknown or doubtful authorship, often falsely attributed to a historical figure. works ascribed to King Solomon.

Gedaliah Ibn Jahya in his book The Chain of Tradition original: "שלשלת הקבלה" (Shalsheleth-hakabala), a well-known 16th-century chronicle of Jewish history and lore. (Edition Venice, 1587, folio 98 b.), in referring to such works, cites one by name, The Key of Solomon original: "מפתח שלמה" (Mifteach Shelomoh)—the very equivalent of the Latin Clavicula Salomonis. His words are as follows:—

And they say that aside from the compositions Solomon made

which are written in the Twenty-Four The twenty-four books of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh)., he also composed books on the nature of trees

and herbs, and beasts, cattle, and birds; and he composed books and incantations against the demons;

and it is called The Key of Solomon ;

In the words of a modern non-Jewish scholar, to whom we shall presently refer by name:—

"Solomon plays the same role in ancient Jewish Magic as Faust The protagonist of a classic German legend who makes a pact with the devil in exchange for knowledge and power. does in the Christian; it is, therefore, not to be wondered at that books on magic are attributed to him. In addition to the famous Little Keys of Solomon original: "Claviculae Salomonis", the following works are ascribed to him: The Book of the Four Rings original: "Liber quatuor annulorum"; The Book...