Collection ID: 0021 | Metadata type: TEI | TEI XML | Data

Title

Sefer Goralot

Other related names

• Gaster, Moses 1856-1939, former owner (http://viaf.org/viaf/12428346)

Call number

Gaster Hebrew MS 1090
(Manchester, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester, The University of Manchester Library, Hebrew Manuscripts)

Alternate identifiers

• Former: Gaster 1090

Publisher

The University of Manchester Library

Language

Hebrew

Origin

Place

Italy?

Summary

Composite codex containing two copies of the text Sefer Goralot (Book of Lots). A lot (גורל) is cast to find an answer to a question that is important to the individual casting it. The Book of Lots consists of an introductory text, which includes a prayer to be recited before a lot is cast, and several tables. The last table surveys sixty prophets from Adam to Ezra who give twelve answers to different questions. This table can presumably be consulted in conjunction with the first two, which are subdivided into twelve zodiacal signs plus each sign into five further "faces" of in total sixty prophets. The first table, entitled "Table of the Faces" (לוח הפרצופים), also lists the issues for which a "yes" or "no" answer is sought (e.g. success/failure in business etc.). Magical signs on folio 20b.

Notes

• Two different types of paper: the first, thicker, with watermarks (see for example folios 14 and 16), is used for folios 1-20; the second one is used for the rest of the manuscript.
   
• Stub between folios 3 and 4, and 4 and 5 (no textual lacuna).
   

Extent

I+38+i; 195 x 146 mm

Foliation

Modern pencil foliation in Arabic numerals at the top outer corner of recto of each folio. Two unnumbered blank folios between folio 20 and folio 21, and two unnumbered blank folios after folio 34. Second foliation in Hebrew letters at the top outer corner of recto of each folio on folios 1-20, from 31 [לא] to 50 [נ].

Collation

IV-2(6)+IV(14)+III(20)

Signatures

Quire signature in Italian at the bottom left corner of folios 1a [Qu.5], 7a [Qu.6] and 15a [Qu.7].

Support

Paper

Catchwords

Catchword at the bottom left corner of side b of folios 1-3, 22-33.

Binding

Modern green cloth binding. Handwritten label on spine reading "ב׳ ספרי גורלות / 1090"

Layout

MS 1090/1, long line with a maximum of 29 written lines. Pricking and hard point ruling visible. On folios 1b-2a the text is written in an inverted triangle shape. MS 1090/2, long line with a maximum of 34 written lines.

Script

Italian cursive script

Provenance

• Acquired by The John Rylands Library from the heirs of Moses Gaster in 1954.
   

Subjects topical

• Jewish magic
• Jews--Folklore
• Astrology

Keywords

• Astrology
• Magic
• Jewish
• 17th century
• 18th century
• Treatise
• Italy

Licenses

• Text

  Images are ©2018 University of Manchester Library, Special Collections and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License version 4.0 (CC-BY-4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. For a description of the terms of use see the Creative Commons Deed https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

  URL

  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

• Text

  Metadata is ©2018 University of Manchester Library, Special Collections and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License version 4.0 (CC-BY-4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. For a description of the terms of use see the Creative Commons Deed https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

  URL

  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode

Table of contents

• 1a — Gaster Hebrew MS 1090/1. Sefer Goralot [ff. 1a-19b].
• 21a — Gaster Hebrew MS 1090/2. Sefer Goralot [ff. 21a-34b].

Decorations

• Inside front cover — Number 1090 handwritten in blue crayon.
• Flyleaf 1a — Printed fragment glued to paper containing a bibliographical entry for the manuscript content in Hebrew.
• 1a — Handwritten note in Hebrew reading " העתקות של ס׳ גורלות"
• 1a — Handwritten in ink and in pencil number 1090 and Moses Gaster's signature.
• 20b — Magical signs
• Flyleaf 1a — Printed fragment glued to paper containing a bibliographical entry for the manuscript content in Hebrew.