Anonymous

(KABBALAH) RAZIEL HAMALACH.

Moses Mendes Coitinho

Amsterdam

1701

FIRST EDITION . Title within elaborate woodcut architectural border. Complex Kabbalistic charts and diagrams throughout, including “angelic” writing.

Vinograd, Amsterdam 731; Fuks, Amsterdam 573

A celebrated cornucopia of mystical texts and magical recipes. The first section, known as the Sepher Hamalbush, relates that soon after Adam was exiled from Eden, he prayed to God with remorse. Thereafter, the Angel Raziel appeared in order to console Adam. The Angel stated he would impart the wisdom of the Book of Raziel and with the knowledge gained, Adam’s descendants would be equipped to foretell their future. An intricate formula with complex instructions follows, indicating preliminary actions to be performed prior to studying the text. Today, even within the most traditional circles it is accepted that the work is medieval in origin, with authorship commonly attribute to Rabbi Elazar of Worms, (author of the Sepher Roke’ach). It is popularly believed that possession of this text prevents one’s home from fire.