This talk, by a leading expert on Jewish magic, Professor Gideon Bohak, will survey the numerous manuscripts with magic and "practical Kabbalah" produced by the Jews of Morocco, Kurdistan, Yemen, and the Middle East in the last few centuries. It will analyze their significance for the study of Jewish culture in the lands of Islam and for the study of the Jewish magical tradition from Antiquity to the twenty-first century. Prof. Bohak will discuss some of the manuscripts and related artefacts found in many major libraries and in the hands of private individuals, and covering such topics as erotic magic, demonic adjurations, exorcisms, divination, magical medicine, and many other activities. He will also analyze the relations between these activities and "normative" Judaism, in the past as well as today. The talk will be accompanied by images of some Oriental Jewish magical manuscripts, amulets, and other magical objects used by Jews.

Gideon Bohak graduated from The Hebrew University, Jerusalem (Jewish History and Classical studies), and from Princeton University (PhD in Religion & Program for the Study of the Ancient World). He is a Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor at the Department of Jewish Culture and Religious Studies at Tel Aviv University, the recipient of the Michael Bruno Award, 2001-2004, and author of numerous books and articles on Jewish history and culture.