Sefer Segulah
Raziel Hamalach. Calcutta, India 1845.
Printed on blue paper.
An early kabbalistic sefer about the heavenly constellations, names of the ministering angels, the early creation, segulas and amulets to banish evil spirits. The present edition includes numerous illustrations and kabbalistic drawings.
This was the first printing of this sefer in the Far East.
This Sefer Raziel Hamalach was printed by Rabbi Elazar Iraki HaKohein, who was the first Jewish printer in India and owner of the first printing house in Calcutta. The front and back of the sefer both feature the printer’s emblem depicting the outstretched hands of a kohein.
The Primary Source
There is a famous segulah to keep a copy of Sefer Raziel Hamalach in one’s home, and while many have sought the source of this intriguing custom, few are aware that it is expressly noted on the title page of its original edition:
“It is an effective segulah…[to bear] children and grandchildren who are scholarly and wise, and for success and blessing,
and to extinguish a fire in the house, and to prevent an evil spirit or disease from dwelling amongst him. One who keeps this sacred and exalted sefer and guards it with his silver, gold and valuables shall merit swift salvation in times of tribulation, and all Bnei Torah shall attest and tell of this.”
Calcutta, 1845.
Page Count: 134 leaves.
Page size: Approx. 16 cm.
Condition: Good. Old, worn leather binding.
Provenance: William Gross Collection
