Sefer HaRazim
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Sefer HaRazim (Hebrew: ספר הרזים; "Book of Secrets") is a Jewish magical text that dates to around the turn of the 4th century AD (early 300s). The text was rediscovered in the 20th century by Mordecai Margalioth, a Jewish scholar visiting Oxford in 1963, using fragments found in the Cairo Geniza.
Quotes
[edit]- Morgan, Michael A. Sepher Ha-Razim: The Book of the Mysteries. Pseudepigrapha Series. 11. Chico, California: Scholars Press. ISBN 0-89130-615-3.
- The name of the first firmament is called Shamayim. Within it are encampments filled with wrath. And seven thrones are prepared there and upon them are seated overseers, and around them on all sides encampments (of angels) are stationed and are obedient to men at the time when they practice (magic), to everyone who has learned to stand and pour (libations) to their names and cite them by their signs at the period when (prayer) is heard (so as) to make a magical rite succeed. (Over) all these encampments of angels these seven overseers rule, to dispatch (them) for every (sort of) business so that they will hasten and bring success.
- The second firmament is called "heaven of heavens." In it are frost and fog and treasuries of snow and treasuries of hail, angels of fire and angels of moisture and spirits of terror and spirits of dread. The firmament is full of fear, for within it are innumerable angels constituting armies upon armies and over them are officers and overseers. Within the firmament are twelve steps and on each and every step stand angels in their splendor, and over them is one high official over another. Nevertheless, for human affairs, they are obedient to everyone who approaches them in purity.
- The third firmament is filled with storerooms of mist from which the winds go forth, and inside it are encampments of thunder from which lightning emanates. Within, three princes sit on their thrones; they and their raiment have an appearance like fire and the appearance of their thrones is like fire, fire that gleams like gold, for they rule over all the angels of fire. They are like fire in their strength and their voices are like the roar of a peal of thunder. And their eyes are like sunbeams, and they rule over the wheels of flame and fire. Moreover, they have wings to fly. The whinnying of their mouths is as horses, their appearance like torches; when they speak they cause trembling, when they shout they cause weakness. They soar in every direction and fly to every corner (of the world).
- The fourth firmament is pitched upon a storm wind, and stands on pillars of fire, and is held up by crowns of flame, and full of treasuries of strength, also storehouses of dew. As each of its corners are swift angels running with each other, prancing, prancing.
- If you wish to see the sun during the night, proceeding (on his course) in the north, purify (yourself) for three weeks of days from all (impure) food and drink, and from every unclean thing. Then stand during the third hour in the night watches, wrapped in white garments, and say twenty-one times the name of the sun and the names of the angels that lead him at night, and then say:
I adjure you, angels that fly through the air of the firmament, ... I adjure you, that you will make known to me this great miracle that I desire, and that I may see the sun in his power in the (celestial) circle (traversed by) his chariot, and let no hidden thing be too difficult for me.
- Holy Helios who rises in the east, good mariner, trustworthy leader of the sun's rays, reliable (witness), who of old didst establish the mighty wheel (of the heavens), holy orderer, ruler of the axis (of the heaven). Lord, Brilliant Leader, King, Soldier. I, N son of N, present my supplication before you, that you will appear to me without (causing me) fear, and you will be revealed to me without causing me terror, and you will conceal nothing from me and will tell me truthfully all that I desire.
- The fifth firmament is exceedingly exalted. It is magnificent in appearance, for within it are clouds of splendor. It is filled with angels of majesty, and within it (their knees) knock with fear. They are stationed in troop after troop, glorifying (the One) who carved them into flame. The sound of their running is like the crashing of the sea, and their walk is like wheels of thunder. Therein, moreover, are twelve princes of glory seated upon magnificent thrones, the appearance of their thrones is like that of fire. They quarter the heavens at the middle by facing the four directions of the world, three by three toward each direction. And (the) angels run when they send them, and their roaring shakes the world. Lightnings issue from their breath and they have wings of fire and are wreathed with crowns of fire, and the (fifth) firmament shines from the lustre of their faces. They are in charge of the twelve months of the year and understand what will be in each and every month, and without them nothing can happen, for they were created for this. Each is stationed over his month since they make known month by month that which will be in each and every year.
- As for the sixth firmament, its storehouses are full of honey. Within is the place prepared for the spirits of the righteous. Light and fire encompass it and within are myriads, thousands upon thousands, and armies and encampments (of angels) standing in awe and trembling. And on the head of each of them is (what) appears as a crown of fire, and their fire has the appearance of gold. The regiments of the army march within (the sixth firmament), and their strength is like an inextinguishable fire and they are in fear from dread of their rulers. For two officers rule over them, one in the west of the (sixth) firmament and one in the east. And before the armies of spirits are myriads of angels created from flame and burning like fire. Their bodies are like fiery coals and upon coals of fire is their station. And they tremble and shake to sing forth songs and praises to the Exalted One of the Universe, who has prepared them to praise His honor and honor His praise.
- The seventh firmament, all of it is sevenfold light, and from its light all the (seven) heavens shine. Within it is the throne of glory, set on the four glorious Ḥayot, Also within it are the storehouses of lives, and the storehouses of souls. There is no calculation or limit to the great light within it, and the fullness of the light illumines all the earth.
