Amulet for the protection of the home, customarily distributed by R. Yeshaya Steiner of Kerestir ("R' Yeshayale Kerestirer"), the "Yismach Moshe" and other Rebbes. [Europe, ca. 1910s-1930s].

Photolithographic print on thick paper, with Stam script in two lines: "ילשת באשר בוליב / והאפה הבמוג ולה". On verso, handwritten inscriptions in German: "Rabbiner" (written twice).

The identity of the amulet's printer and the righteous rabbi who gave it for protection remain unclear. This print appears to be an old, high-quality lithograph or zincograph from the early 20th century (approximately 1910s-1920s, possibly 1930s).

The book "Mofet HaDor" about the famous Rabbi Yeshayah of Kerestir relates that most amulets he gave followed this formula. It tells of a Jewish shop that was miraculously saved from arson by a gentile competitor after receiving such amulets from R. Yeshaya of Kerestir. Two photographs of these amulets appear there.

Rabbi Yeshayale of Kerestir passed away on 3 Iyar 5685 (1925), and such amulets may have been printed during his lifetime, as demand increased.

This amulet, containing three protective verses, is decoded in the book "Elef Ktav" (R. Yitzchak Weiss of Vrbové, entry 515): the first line alternates initials from the verses "May there be peace within your walls, serenity within your palaces" (Psalms 122:7) and "No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent" (Psalms 91:10), while the second line contains initials from the verse "And they smote the men who were at the entrance of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves to find the entrance" (Genesis 19:11).

This amulet formula was given by Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, author of "Yismach Moshe", for protecting homes from thieves and harmful forces.

The journal "Nachalat Zvi" (16, pp. 126-127) shows a photograph of a similar amulet written by the "Yismach Moshe" and given by his grandson, the "Yitav Lev", to his attendant – Rabbi Meir Schwartz. It relates that when the Satmar Rebbe, author of "Divrei Yoel", visited Eretz Israel, he made a special trip to see this amulet and examined it with interest.

Similar amulets were later given by the Admorim of Sanz, Belz, Ruzhin, Sighet and Liska. Additionally, Rabbi Hillel of Kolomyia, in his "Teshuvot Beit Hillel HaChadash" (section 32), recommends writing this amulet and "placing it at all entrances of a new house for some time, and no harm will come to him or any members of his household".

4X7 cm. Good-fair condition. Thick bristol paper. Stains, including dampstains. Worming hole at top of amulet.