Naomi Janowitz on Jewish Magic and ‘The Jewish Magi’ in Antiquity

Naomi Janowitz, a scholar on Jewish magic in antiquity, discusses the intersection of ritual and social discourse, gender dynamics in ancient Jewish magic, the power of language and its connection to weddings, the evaluation of magic in Judaism, and the complexities of ritual practices in Hellenistic Judaism. The conversation also explores rabbinic culture, debates surrounding legitimate ritual practices, conflicts between rabbis and magicians, and the appearance of a group during the Maccabean period.