CREDENZE DEMONOLOGICHE NEL MONDO EBRAICO IN ETÀ MEDIEVALE E MODERNA
DEMONOLOGICAL BELIEFS IN THE JEWISH WORLD DURING MEDIEVAL AND MODERN AGES

Summary/Abstract: Demonological beliefs in the Jewish world during Medieval and Modern ages. The article illustrates the Jewish beliefs about demons and the related exorcism practices. These beliefs were closely concerned with the concept of transmigration of souls. In fact, in the Jewish traditional culture, a living person may be possessed by wandering souls. Kabbalistic texts and the rabbinical discussion in the Talmud represent two main relevant sources for the study of demonological beliefs in Judaism. Safed, in Galilee, was in the 16th century a center of great importance in diffusing these beliefs. Moreover Jewish mentality, like the Christian one, was included by the main currents of thought inside a process of “demonization” that characterized the monotheistic religions between the 16th and the beginning of the 17th century.

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