Sefer Ha-Razim I und II - Das Buch der Geheimnisse I und II

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Two macroforms from late antiquity are known as Sefer ha-Razim (The Book of Secrets). These texts share a closely related tradition and redaction history. Sefer ha-Razim I is a magical manual structured around the cosmological scheme of seven heavens, comprising an introduction and seven chapters. In contrast, Sefer ha-Razim II primarily features angelological name lists corresponding to the twelve months for magical purposes. Both texts underwent multiple redactions and translations, gaining wide acceptance in Judaism and Christianity. This edition addresses their complex history by presenting the different versions synoptically. It marks the first publication of Sefer ha-Razim II, which is also known as Sefer Adam due to its association with Karaite polemics. The edition incorporates a translation of the standard version of both macroforms into German, along with a detailed commentary. The work builds on earlier critiques of the first edition by Mordecai Margalioth, which was criticized for creating an eclectic text that blurred the lines between various redactions. The current edition significantly expands upon Margalioth’s work by including newly verified fragments from the Cairo Geniza and other sources, providing a comprehensive view of the textual tradition. The different versions of Sefer ha-Razim I and II are presented in a synoptic format, with a variants apparatus and separate editions of the Geniza fragments.