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The Book of Protection: Being a Collection of Charms — Occult Philosophy

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The Book of Protection: Being a Collection of Charms

Name: The Book of Protection: Being a Collection of Charms
Price: 35.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781108027748

✍️ Gollancz, Hermann

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A scholarly collection of Jewish protective charms by a distinguished rabbi.

This volume offers a focused look at protective charms within the Jewish tradition, curated by Sir Hermann Gollancz. As the first rabbi to receive a knighthood, Gollancz brings significant authority to the subject. His role as Professor of Hebrew at University College London informs the scholarly approach taken in this collection. The book does not provide new rituals but rather documents existing practices through a historical and religious lens. It is valuable for understanding how protection magic functioned within Jewish communities during the periods Gollancz studied. The text is structured to present these charms as part of a broader religious heritage. Readers will find a clear presentation of material that bridges the gap between academic theology and mystical practice. The work stands as a record of specific cultural artifacts rather than a guide for contemporary application.

Key Themes

Jewish protective charms Hermann Gollancz scholarship Occultism in Judaism

Literary Context

Sir Hermann Gollancz lived from 1852 to 1930. He was an English rabbi and scholar. His work reflects the early twentieth century academic study of Hebrew and Jewish mysticism. The book sits at the intersection of religious history and occult studies.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Gershom Scholem · The Zohar · Folklore Studies · Kabbalistic Texts

🕯️

Occult Philosophy

🏛 Cambridge University Press 📅 2011 📖 236 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781108027748

Fun Fact

Gollancz's 'Book of Protection' is an indispensable scholarly achievement, offering a rare, meticulously cataloged glimpse into the applied mysticism of Jewish folk traditions. It excels in its presentation of historical material, making it a cornerstone for serious students of comparative religion and occult studies. Those seeking a practical grimoire for immediate magical application, however, might be disappointed, as its strength lies in documentation rather than instruction. This volume firmly establishes itself as a foundational text in the academic exploration of Jewish magical practices.

📝 Description: The Book of Protection: Being a Collection of Charms

Sir Hermann Gollancz, an English rabbi who became the first to receive a knighthood, presents a compilation of charms in this volume. His career included serving as Professor of Hebrew at University College London from 1902 to 1924. The text draws upon Jewish traditions and religious contexts to examine these mystical practices. Gollancz utilizes his background as a scholar and public figure to curate material that reflects the historical intersection of faith and occultism within Judaism. The book is organized as a collection, focusing on specific charms used for protection. It appeals to readers interested in the general study of Judaism and occultism from a religious perspective. The work suits those seeking academic or historical insight into Jewish mystical traditions. It may not satisfy readers looking for practical instruction on modern witchcraft or non-Jewish esoteric systems. Published by Cambridge University Press, this paperback edition contains 236 pages. The physical dimensions are 1.37 cms in height, 21.59 cms in length, and 13.97 cms in width. It weighs 0.3 kgs. The ISBN is 9781108027748. The content remains grounded in the specific historical period of Gollancz’s scholarship and the Jewish religious framework he represents.

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

While this text is a monumental achievement in preserving esoteric heritage, it is not suitable for casual readers seeking accessible spellbooks or immediate practical results. The work demands patience and an academic interest in historical linguistics and theological context rather than simple occult application. Those looking for modern reinterpretations or simplified rituals may find the scholarly tone and historical distance daunting. However, for those willing to engage with the raw material of Jewish folk magic through a respected scholarly lens, it provides unparalleled insight into the mechanics of spiritual protection and the enduring human quest for safety.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Scholars of Jewish mysticism and historians of esotericism will find this collection indispensable for its rigorous preservation of ancient protective charms. Readers interested in the practical applications of spiritual defense will appreciate Sir Hermann Gollancz’s meticulous curation, which bridges the gap between academic study and lived religious experience. It offers a rare, unvarnished look into how historical communities sought divine intervention against unseen threats, making it a vital resource for understanding the intersection of faith, folklore, and magical practice within Jewish tradition.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

If you're drawn to historical magic, Jewish mysticism, or the cultural anthropology of protective charms, this book is an essential addition to your library. Scholars of religion, folklore enthusiasts, and practitioners interested in the roots of esoteric Judaism will find it profoundly…

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

While this text is a monumental achievement in preserving esoteric heritage, it is not suitable for casual readers seeking accessible spellbooks or immediate practical results. The work demands patience and an academic interest in historical linguistics and theological context rather than simple occult application. Those looking for modern reinterpretations or simplified rituals may find the scholarly tone and historical distance daunting. However, for those willing to engage with the raw material of Jewish folk magic through a respected scholarly lens, it provides unparalleled insight into the mechanics of spiritual protection and the enduring human quest for safety.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While the book presents historical examples, many of the underlying principles and symbolic elements of Jewish protective practices continue to resonate in contemporary spiritual work and Kabbalistic traditions.

Primarily, this is a scholarly collection and historical record. While it reveals the substance of various charms, it's not a step-by-step grimoire, but rather an academic resource for understanding the traditions themselves.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Jewish Protective Practices

Explore the rich tradition of Jewish spiritual protection, delving into an array of charms, amulets, and incantations designed to ward off evil, illness, and misfortune. The book showcases the diverse methods employed over centuries to secure well-being and divine favor, highlighting the mystical undercurrents within traditional Jewish life.

Historical Folk Magic

Gollancz's work provides an invaluable historical record of folk magic practices that often existed alongside formal religious observance. It offers insight into the daily spiritual concerns of past communities, demonstrating how people sought practical magical solutions to life's challenges, blending elements of piety with esoteric belief.

Scholarly Documentation

Authored by a revered academic, this collection is distinguished by its scholarly approach to documenting and preserving these often-overlooked traditions. It presents these charms not merely as curiosities, but as significant cultural artifacts, reflecting a serious academic engagement with the material that lends it considerable weight and authenticity.

📜 Historical context

Published by a prominent Hebrew scholar in the early 20th century, this work emerges from a period of increasing academic interest in ethnography and comparative religion. Gollancz's compilation preserves a facet of Jewish spiritual life—folk magic—that often remained outside official theological discourse, bridging the gap between academic study and practical esoteric traditions rooted in centuries of Jewish experience.

📚 Glossary

Amulet
Kabbalah
Rabbi

📔 Questions to reflect on

Reflect on a time you sought protection or comfort through a ritual or object. How does this experience connect with the historical practices described in the book?
Consider the role of faith and belief in the efficacy of such charms. How might a 'protected' object or incantation influence one's personal sense of security?
How do these historical Jewish protective charms compare or contrast with protective magic traditions you might be familiar with from other cultures or belief systems?