In Divination, Magic and Healing: The Book of Jewish Folklore, Rabbi Ronald H. Isaacs examines the treasure-trove of popular beliefs, customs, and superstitions that exist side-by-side with "normative Judaism." Contrary to the explicit Torah command that forbids such things as soothsaying and divination, beliefs in magic, the prognostic arts, dream interpretation, and astrology, are still rooted, and may even be practiced in many Jewish communities. Featuring material culled from biblical and rabbinic literature, this intriguing volume includes chapters on the Jewish calendar, the place of the sun and the moon in Jewish tradition, astronomy, astrology, divination and sorcery, magic, amulets, folk remedies, demons and evil spirits, and dreams. As the beliefs, practices, and origins of folk Judaism are explored, a remarkable array of customs is brought to light and explained. For example, readers will learn the many ways to fool the Angel of Death and ways to avoid the evil eye, such as changing the name of a seriously ill person and not talking about the beauty of a new baby. Find out ways to cure depression, stop a toothache, and restore virility. Learn why Tuesday is the most auspicious day for a Jewish wedding, why many people say "pooh, pooh, pooh," why Jews don't count people, and much more. The enormous number of books, articles, and television programs on horoscopes, fortune-tellers, dream interpretation, and other similar subjects, clearly demonstrates that many people believe that these disciplines can and do impact their lives. With Divination, Magic and Healing: The Book of Jewish Folkrole, readers can enter the imaginative and mysterious world of Jewish folklore, exploring its appeal and its relevance to their own lives.
by Ronald H. Isaacs