CONTROLLING DESTRUCTIVE ANIMALS USING MAGIC METHODS ACCORDING TO THE ANCIENT JEWISH SOURCES

During the history, several animals have been a source of annoyance, disease and death for human and his property. This study explores the magic methods and ways of preventing destructive animals from inflicting harm (incantations, images and amulets) in the Roman-Byzantine Period. It also discusses the attitude of the rabbinic law to these methods (practices that designated ḥover ḥaver). In contrast to the Eretz Israel sources that took a strict approach, which completely forbade any use of incantations to protect oneself from animals, the approach of Babylonian Amoraim was more lenient. They permitted recitation of incantations in order to subdue dangerous animals that assault people actively but forbade this when no danger was evident. Moreover, the Babylonian sources portrayed several incantations that might be beneficial in case of danger. ‘Sefer Harazim’ recommends controlling animals by the image of the hazard and an amulet that will be attached to the image.