Roots of Magic Episodes Themed "Demons"

Gideon Bohak on the Pishra de-Rabbi Ḥanina Ben Dosa

We discuss a fascinating text of all-purpose protective and apotropaic magic with a history spanning millennia with the inimitable Gideon Bohak. Attributed to a first-century rabbi, the Pishra may have its roots in late-antique Babylonia, but it was still being copied into the twentieth century, and, who knows? perhaps today.

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Dan Levene on Late-Antique Jewish Magic Bowls, Skulls, and More

We speak with Dan Levene, expert on the ancient Judæo-Aramaic incantation-bowls, on the bowls, the skulls, the Talmud, and what all of this tells us about late-ancient Judaism in the Sasanian empire and beyond.

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