a learning odyssey daycare

The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. The trials resulted in the executions of twenty people, fourteen of them women, and the imprisonment of several others. It is considered one of the darkest chapters in American history. The trials began when a group of young girls in Salem Village claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several women in the village of being witches. The village was divided between those who believed in the accusations and those who were skeptical. The local authorities appointed a court to try the accused witches, and the trials quickly gained national attention.

Jewish Magic and Superstition is a masterful and utterly fascinating exploration of religious forms that have all but disappeared yet persist in the imagination. The volume begins with legends of Jewish sorcery and proceeds to discuss beliefs about the evil eye, spirits of the dead, powers of good, the famous legend of the golem, procedures for casting spells, the use of gems and amulets, how to battle spirits, the ritual of circumcision, herbal folk remedies, fortune telling, astrology, and the interpretation of dreams.

Trachtenberg s appreciation of the role of folk-magic in Jewish culture is important for the study of Judaism, and also the roots of modern Pagan beliefs and practices. However, this popular Jewish superstition may well have originated from the Christian Bible, which mentions the miraculous power of the spittle of Jesus.

The local authorities appointed a court to try the accused witches, and the trials quickly gained national attention. The whole affair was driven by superstition, religious extremism, and fear. The Puritan society in Salem was highly religious and believed in the existence of witches and the devil as a constant threat to their community.

Jewish Magic and Superstition

In the background of what has become known as ceremonial magic is medieval Jewish magic. In turn this was based on the Kabbalah, the Jewish traditions known as Haggadah, and other esoteric beliefs. This is a comprehensive review of Jewish magic from the 10th to the 15th century, including a rich lode of folklore. Many well-known Jewish traditions are explained, such as why a glass is broken at a wedding, and how the expression mazel tov is related to a belief in Astrology. Trachtenberg deals extensively with Golems, Succubi, the Lillim, (from Lilith--Adam's first wife), and other magical creatures, some well known such as werewolves, and others not so well, such as estrie , mare and broxa . There are detailed descriptions of talismans, amulets, charms, and other curious magical objects. There are chapters dealing with dream interpretation, medical beliefs, necromancy, and other forms of divination. There is also a short glossary, so if you are having trouble telling the difference between a Kaddish and a Kiddush, you're in luck.

The author, Joshua Trachtenberg (b. 1904, d. 1959) was a reform rabbi on the east coast of the US. This is an elaboration of his Columbia University Ph.D. thesis. Trachtenberg's appreciation of the role of folk-magic in Jewish culture is important for the study of Judaism, and also the roots of modern Pagan beliefs and practices.

Production Notes: This book contains many quotations in Hebrew. The shorter passages have been transcribed into Unicode. The longer ones are presented in image files.

--J.B. Hare, January 8, 2008.

The most famous golem narrative involves Judah Loew ben Bezalel, the late 16th century rabbi of Prague, also known as the Maharal, who reportedly created a golem to defend the Prague ghetto from antisemitic attacks and pogroms. Depending on the version of the legend, the Jews in Prague were to be either expelled or killed under the rule of Rudolf II, the Holy Roman Emperor. To protect the Jewish community, the rabbi constructed the Golem out of clay from the banks of the Vltava river, and brought it to life through rituals and Hebrew incantations. The Golem was called Josef and was known as Yossele. It was said that he could make himself invisible and summon spirits from the dead. The only care required of the Golem was that he couldn't be active on the day of Sabbath (Saturday). Rabbi Loew deactivated the Golem on Friday evenings by removing the shem before the Sabbath began, so as to let it rest on Sabbath. One Friday evening Rabbi Loew forgot to remove the shem, and feared that the Golem would desecrate the Sabbath. A different story tells of a golem that fell in love, and when rejected, became the violent monster seen in most accounts. Some versions have the golem eventually going on a murderous rampage. The rabbi then managed to pull the shem from his mouth and immobilize him in front of the synagogue, whereupon the golem fell in pieces. The Golem's body was stored in the attic genizah of the Old New Synagogue , where it would be restored to life again if needed. According to legend, the body of Rabbi Loew's Golem still lies in the synagogue's attic.

The accused witches were mostly women who were seen as social outcasts, mentally ill, or engaged in behavior that went against the social norms of the time. The trials were characterized by a lack of due process and a reliance on spectral evidence, which allowed the accused to be convicted based on visions and dreams. Many innocent people were falsely accused and put on trial, leading to a climate of fear and paranoia in the community. Those accused were often forced to confess to being witches under duress or in the face of harsh interrogation methods. The trials finally came to an end when the governor of Massachusetts disbanded the court and declared that spectral evidence would no longer be admissible in court. The community gradually realized the error of their ways and the injustice that had been carried out, leading to apologies and compensation for the families of those who had been wrongfully executed. The Salem witch trials serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of prejudice, intolerance, and the abuse of power. They have left a lasting impact on American history and have been the subject of many books, plays, and films. The trials have also sparked debates about the nature of justice and the importance of fair trials in the legal system. Overall, the Salem witch trials are a haunting reminder of the fragility of justice and the consequences of mass hysteria..

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