Rare and antique: Amulet “Ilan HaKodesh” handwritten on gvil parchment. Iraq, end of the 19th century.

Rare and antique: Amulet “Ilan HaKodesh” handwritten on gvil parchment. Iraq, end of the 19th century.

Handwritten Ilan HaKodesh amulet on antique gvil parchment, from around 130 years ago. This amulet is exceptional compared to other Ilan amulets, since it is written on a wide—not long and narrow—piece of parchment, as is traditionally done in these amulets. Size: 21x31cm. Sharp creases from folding, stains and wear (see picture). The writing is blurred and faded in part, overall good condition for an amulet of such age.

Around the amulet is an inscription: “I hereby write this amulet in the name of the born child from Sarah, save her from all problems and damage and evil and from all enemies and beasts, demons…like you saved David from Saul, the spider…”. Later are additional names like “Esther, that she may get pregnant and give birth to sons with good mazel for Torah and wisdom and wealth and life.”

About this privileged amulet: the amulet is divided into three main parts: foundations of the wisdom of Kabbalah, Kabbalistic tables and illustrations, and the 'Holy Tree' (Ilan HaKadosh) - the order of the descent of the worlds by Rabbi Meir Paprash, the late Guri Ari. Apart from the large theoretical part of the scroll that visually explains the foundations of the wisdom of Kabbalah, and is intended for students of the wisdom of Kabbalah, and as written by the Admor Rabbi Yeshaya Muscat of Prague [son-in-law of Rabbi Yitzchak of Radwil and student of the Maggid of Kozhnitz and friend of the Chiddushei HaRim] in his approbation to the printing of the Ilan HaKadosh: "His holy words are more precious than gold and pearls, it includes all of the writings of the Ari... and he who is familiar with his holy words can easily engage in the wisdom of Kabbalah." The Ilan HaKadosh amulet is capable of "guarding against any harm - and is capable of raising sons."