LimmudFest Nola 2023

Astral or talismanic magic thrived in the medieval Islamic world, from Baghdad to the Maghreb to al-Andalus, and was translated into Latin in the twelfth century to become a controversial and important part of Christian European culture. How did Jewish authors, doctors, practitioners, and thinkers discuss the making of talismans and the summoning of spirits from the stars? This talk will consider how medieval Jews in the Middle East and in Europe thought about the controversies, dangers, and possibilities of astrological knowledge and magical practices. In so doing, it will touch on questions about the history of medieval thought, controversies about the relationship of magic to halachah, and the relationship between Jewish, Christian, and Muslim thought in the High Middle Ages. The session will include a beginner's guide to protecting a house from scorpions using astral magic but with no guarantee that it will work.