SEFER HA-YASHAR

The Book of the Just

An ancient Jewish magical text

From "Das Buch des Gewandes" und "Das Buch des Aufrechten" by Irina Wandrey

Transliteration of Hebrew Names:

) A l L
b B mM M
g G nN N
d D s S
h H ( ‘
w W pP P
z Z cC S, Tz
x H q Q
+ T r R
y Y # Š
kK K t T
 1

his is the sublime and wondrous Book of the Just, which was written by our master
T Shemuel, chief priest of the Academy, of blessed memory, who received it from the mouth
of Rab Huna bar Sehora, a high priest from Africa. He wrote and proofread it, exactly as it
should be, so that it may be free from errors. And Rab Huna transcribed it from the great book of
the Just which belonged to our teacher Menahem, a priest and judge; may his memory be blessed.
And it was dedicated and transcribed according to it. And this book is also the one that was given
unto the first Man when the Holy One, Blessed be He, expelled him from the Garden of Eden, after
Adam wept before him, imploring him, and asking for mercy before Him. And He sent him this
book by means of (the angel) Galitzur (‫)גליצור‬. And he (Adam) passed it on to Shem, Enoch,
Methuselah, Noah, Eber, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Levi, Moses, Aaron and Phinehas. And thus it was
transmitted to all the generations, one to the next, till it came into the hands of Abraham of blessed
memory.

And this is its practical use. Because this (holy) Name is in this book, whoever takes it (the book) in
holiness and purity, and mentions it wherever he may be, or engraves its letters, it shall accomplish
his will.

If he pronounces it over the sea, it shall immediately solidify like frost.

If he pronounces it over the fire, as he does so it shall be extinguished.
If it is pronounced over lions, bears and leopards, they shall obey and stand in silence.
If he pronounces it over the snake, scorpion, and all of their kind, he shall rule over them like a bird.
If he pronounces it over the Sun and Moon, he shall reign over them justly, and by the fear of God.

And if he pronounces it over a spirit, demon, a devil (satan), an evil attacker (spirit)...they shall listen
to his voice and shall not embitter his mouth.

If he pronounces it over a high tower or a steep wall, it shall fall immediately.

And if he pronounces it over a fruit (tree), it shall yield its fruits before him.

And anyone who wishes to learn to use it, and to accomplish anything, will stand by this (i.e. these
rules). His body must remain pure for 21 days of any garlic, spices, and everything that issues blood
(i.e. meat). And every day he shall bathe once in the morning and twice in the evening, before
sunrise & after sunset.
He should not use these methods for mere gain, but only in humility, with a sincere heart and in a
state of purity.
By using it in holiness, he shall grow wise, and gain insight into the seasons and the constellations,
and all the servants (angels) who rule over the 4 seasons of the year and the new moons, by the
names that are associated to each season, and the angels who govern in the four seasons of the year.
He shall recognize and know the names of the Earth and the Heavens, the name of the Moon and
the names of the Sun and of its globe, the names of the day and night, the names of the hours and
the winds in the four seasons of the year, and the name derived from the great Name which governs
them all.
And he shall grow wise when he understands its characters and all of its words. It (the book)
shall grant him favour in the eyes of all.
Everyone who uses it in holiness and purity, as it should be done, should not defile their
flesh.
He who wishes to use it must not touch a woman during her menstrual impurity, should not go near
a corpse, and he must beware that he be not contaminated through contact with Gentiles.
He should sanctify his flesh in water, and purify his body, and must not eat anything unclean.
He must accomplish this work so in holiness, and he shall succeed in all his ways, and in all things.
And all his foes shall fear him, for grace and favour will be granted unto him, as it is written: And all
people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of YHWH; and they shall be afraid of thee. (Deut 28:
10). Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of YHWH (Ps.
107, 43)

All the sages of Israel, when they desired to put on the Name, gave their entire fortunes to charity so
as to atone for their sin.
And (then) they were able to use it for whatever they desired.
And it is necessary for anyone who desires to put on this Name, that he do so in holiness and purity.
He should wear white clothes and be clean of any impurity. He should cense his face with the best
perfumes, such as crocus, myrrh, and aromatic gum – all used as incense over the fire to purify
himself.

And now we will explain the names of the angels appointed over all the seasons of the year.

These are the angels who are set over the season of Nisan: SMAL ‘NAL GNŠWRŠ MRYAL. And
the name of their Lord is AWRQ NNQ.
And these are the ones who are appointed over the season of Tammuz: YMYNYAL SDQYAL
‘NNYAL. And the name of their Lord is ABYR ABYRYM (Abir Abirîm).
And these are those appointed over the season of Tishri: BRQYAL (Barqiêl) ASMRYAL (Asmariêl)
GBRYAL. And the name of their Lord is PNYAL (or PNYAWR, Peni’ôr).
And these are the ones who are appointed over the season of Tebet: ARYAL BQYAL BRKYAL
(Barkiêl). And the name of their Lord is DBYNDRPH (or DBYWDRPH, Dêbyudarpah).

The Names of the Sun in the 4 seasons of the year:

Nisan: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, the sun is called AWR MNDPR.

Tamuz: Cancer, Leo, Virgo, the sun is ABHMYM ABHMWR (Ebahmôr).
Tishri: Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, the sun is AL BRYAWR (Êl Beri’ôr).
Tebet: Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, the sun is QWMNYS ASQYNS (Qômnis Asqinis)
The Names of the moon in the 4 seasons of the year:
Nisan: LBRNYT (Labranit)
Tamuz: LBKYM KTRYM (Labkim Kitrim)
Tishri: YRH (Yarêah)
Tebet: ŠHYPWR.

The Names of the Heavens in the 4 seasons of the year:

Nisan: HSYN AWR (Hasîn Ôr)
Tamuz: RWM RQY‘ (Rum Raqi‘a)
Tishri: MPYS NWGH (Mepitz Nôgâh)
Tebet: ŠHQ M‘WN (Šahaq Ma‘ôn)

The Names of the earth in the 4 seasons of the year:

Nisan: MMGYDW (Mamgidô)
Tamuz: YBŠH (Yabašâ)
Tishri: TBL TBT (Têbel Têbet)
Tebet: HBHRYM HRWM (Habharim Harôm)

The Names of the winds in the 4 seasons of the year:

In the month of Nisan the east wind is called AKBRWN (Akbarôn)
The north wind is AMWNH (Amunâ)
The west wind is MHNYM (Mahanîm)
The south wind is MNŠWR (Manšur, or PNYMWR)

In the month of Tamuz the east wind is called QHNBYR (Qahinibir)

The north wind is ABRYK (Abrik, or ABRWN)
The west wind is SYGWR (or PYMWR, Pimôr)
The south wind is PNYMWR (ALPRWN in S. Raziel)

In the month of Tishri the east wind is called ABRYT

The north wind is GLYDWR (Gilidôr)
The west wind is ZRZYR
The south wind is TNYPWT

In the month of Tebet the east wind is called SNGYRYT (or NGYDYT)
The north wind is PPWR (Papur)
The west wind is AWRYAWR
The south wind is TMHWN (TMHWR in S. Raziel)

The Names of the sea in the 4 seasons of the year:

Nisan: KYLYK (Kêylêyk or Kilyekâ)
Tamuz: THWM
Tishri: MDDYAL (MRDYAL in S. Raziel)
Tebet: ŠBYLGDR

The names (i.e. planets) of the hours of the day are: Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon, Saturn, Jupiter,
Mars.
The names of the hours of the night are: Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon.

The names of the angels who are set over the hours throughout the day, are these:

Saturn:QPSYAL (Qaftziêl)
Jupiter: SDQYAL (Tzadqiêl)
Mars: SMAL (Samaêl)
Sun: GBRYAL (Gabriêl)
Venus: ‘NYAL (‘Aniêl)
Mercury: HSDYAL (Hasdiêl)
Moon: MYKAL (Mikaêl)

And this is the prayer which pertains to the great name, which he (?) prayed before the ark when he
washed himself in water, early in the morning, before sunrise, by which he demonstrated his piety
and righteousness. And this is it:

Blessed, blessed be Thy name, and lauded above all blessing and praise, for thy name is in Thee, and Thy name is set
over all. And the hosts of fire and flame praise thy name. The Seraphim sing praises unto thy name, the Hayot
sanctify thy name, and the Ofanim purify Thy name. For all creatures fear thy name and thy name they do not behold.
And before Thy name recedeth the sea and all its waves and the waves exalt thy name. The earth moveth when Thou
dost behold it, and its pillars are shaken by fear of Thy name. All the inhabitants of the heights tremble in their
habitations. And Heaven and earth and its inhabitants fear Thy name. The abyss, She’ol, Abadon, the land
(Tziyah), the Shadow of Death, man, beast, mountains, hills seas and rivers, fire and hail, snow and smoke, strong
wind, dew, and rain, angels of fire and angels of water sanctify thy name, for before Thy name they tremble, and all
sanctify thy name saying, "Holy, holy, holy." All those whose nostrils contain the breath of life render honour unto
Thy name with a pleasant voice.
Even I, Thy servant, NN son of NN, who I am afflicted, and many calamities and evil have I endured: ash
and dust, I am depressed of heart, poor and needy, timid and humble, full of worms and the vermin, a fleeting shadow,
a flower of the field; I have come forth and desired by Thy great and revered Name, that thou teachest me and showest
Mercy unto me, for I have pleaded for mercy in a sincere though clumsy language, and impatient to ask for mercy before
the throne of thy glory, that I may find grace, mercy and forgiveness before Thee. For thou art near to all those who call
upon Thee, for thou art merciful and gracious. For Thou are patient and full of grace. For thou art a merciful and
holy God. For Thou art a revered and holy God. For Thou are filled with forgiveness. For Thou art good and dost
what is good. For thou art good and forgiving. And I ask before Thee that Thou mayst have mercy on me in thy great
mercy. Fulfil my desire, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

After doing all this, you need to incline your head and face downward and you shall succeed.

And know that the origin of this name is found in (the verses): and he appeared unto him in a flame of fire
(Exodus 3:2); and he said: I am that I am. (Exodus 3:14). And when YHWH saw that he turned aside to see
(Exodus 3:4). And the whole tradition of the Chariot is derived from: Wherefore criest thou unto me?
(Ex. 14:15) Stretch out thine hand! That the waters may come again (Ex. 14:26). And Miriam answered them,
etc (Ex. 15:21). And from: And it came to pass, when the ark set forward (Num. 10:35). And when it rested,
he said, Return, O YHWH (Num. 10:36). Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine
enemies, etc (Psalm 3:7). Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and
awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded (Psalm 7:7). Arise, O YHWH; O God, lift up thine
hand: forget not the humble (Ps. 10:12). Arise, O YHWH; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy
sight. (Ps. 9:19) Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily (Ps.
74:22). Arise, O YHWH, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength. (Ps. 132:8) Save us, O God of our
salvation (Chronicles 16:35). Holy, holy, holy. AŠ TR (Êsh Tar – ‫)אֵ שׁ תַ ר‬.

8
Be honest with the Lord thy God. Watch and assure yourself to only use it in dire need or for good
purposes. This holy book is pure and undefiled. Therefore all those who desire to make use thereof
must (equally) be blameless and pure. He must beware of any unclean thing, and (unclean) food; he
must avoid contact with a woman, and from those things which must be avoided during fasting and
ritual bathing, as I will explain. Then he shall succeed in everything that is written herein. And every
man that desires to use it must assure himself that he is knowledgeable in wisdom, in understanding
and knowledge lest he be lead into blindness and incur punishment for it. For know that everyone
who beholds it (the book), can only use it in wisdom, and according to the tradition, for it is a book
wherein are contained recondite and secret things. Hence I have explained to all who come into
contact with this book that they should use it solely if in great need. You shall then be able to
accomplish all you desire as I explained previously.
And these are its traditional uses: it dries rivers, makes the dead speak, extinguishes fire,
breaks rocks, tames the serpent, makes a barren woman fertile, rends the sea, melts the sword, heals
the sick, drives out demons, delivers captives, shakes foundations. These are the letters unto which
angels minister, and by them Daniel prophesied concerning Belshazzar. And behold, as it is written,
"as he read."

If you seek to learn the mysteries of the Torah (or ‘if you seek to learn much Torah’), fast for three
days - you must not eat or drink. On the third day, stand upon a high place and pray first in the
morning, a second time at midday, and a third time at dusk, saying 21 times:

“To Thy name I call, YHG1 YHWH AHH YHWHA HRGLA BMAH GAHGA HYH NDD
WDG QDŠ ŠDY GYHWN GPA RTA (or RSWN) GHNWN (or GHNS) GDY TBŠRŠ, the
Great Name. BR LMATYN ZMNYN HYHA MYHA QYSNA BDWWA SA BDMAYY SA
BDYYA AYSRWWAYR AYSTWWAR. Dust and ash of fire.

Hereunto is the Book of the Just.

1This divine name is also given in M. Zacuto’s Shorshe ha-Shemot, where it is said to be the Name revealed to Moses at
Sinai, and it is said to have the power to split the waters of the sea and to dry up rivers, if one engraves the names on a
wooden staff and strikes the waters with it.