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Episode 55·August 17, 2022·hellenistic

Naomi Janowitz on Jewish Magic and 'The Jewish Magi' in Antiquity

Gideon Bohak provides us with a superb introduction to the evidence for late-antique Jewish magic and to what that evidence tells us. Introducing the essential book of Jewish magic, the Sefer ha-Razim.

Listen on SHWEP1 source in collection · 1 translated

Primary Sources

The Works of Philo Judaeus, Vol. 2

Philo of Alexandria · 1854 · English · 528 pages

This volume treats the physical world as a temporary, often deceptive, dwelling for the intellect. Philo maintains that the mind becomes trapped by bodily passions and sensory illusions unless it pursues a rigorous path of allegorical study. He boldly claims that divine inspiration is a reachable re

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