Sources

The following are the traditional Jewish sources and scholars cited in Harry Potter and Torah.



Book/ scholar

Background

Chapters
Abarbanel, Don Isaac Spanish sage and author, lived 1437-1508. Finance Minister for the Spanish government of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella immediately before the Spanish expulsion. Dreams
Alkebetz, Rav Shlomo Scholar and mystic in the town of Tzefat (Safed), author of the Lecha Dodi prayer sung on Friday nights. Unity
Alter, Rav Avrohom Mordechai Contemporary scholar and Jewish outreach professional in Chicago, IL. Unity
Amudei Kesef Analytic and Halachic work by Rabbi Shabsai ben Eliezer Zusman Katz, first published 1883 in Warsaw, reprinted 1990. Currently out of print, but quoted in Pischei Teshuva and other sources. Shabbat Magic
Ashkoli, Rav Yitzchak Nachman see Tzaar Baalei Chayim Creating Bodies, Rights of Magical Creatures
Azulai, Rabbi Chayim Yosef David Known as the Chida, the initials of his name, lived in Jerusalem and Italy, 1724-1806. Author of Machzik Bracha on Jewish law, and many other works of Jewish law and mysticism. Creating Bodies
Baal Shem Tov Founder of the Chassidic movement, lived roughly 1700-1760. Wands
Bach Bayit Chadash, one of the classic commentaries on the Tur, the predecessor to the Shulchan Aruch in Ashkenazi Halachic writings. Written by Rabbi Yoel Sirkis, 1561-1640. Magic Shows
Bahir One of the classical mystical texts, written in the times of the Mishna, attributed to Rabbi Nechunia ben HaKana. One of the most influentual Kabbalistic texts, quoted often in Ramban's commentary on the Torah, and paraphrased often in the Zohar. Creating Bodies
Be'er Moshe Moral lessons from the weekly Torah portions, written by Rabbi Moshe Yechiel Epstein, the Rebbe of Ozhrov, lived 1889-1971 in Ozhrov, New York, and Israel. Magical Protection
Bechaya, Rabbeinu The Torah commentary of Rabbeinu Bechaya ben Asher, written in Spain in 1291. Snakes, epilogue
Beit Elokim See Trani Magical Protection
Belzer Rebbe Rebbe of the Chassidic dynasty of Belz before and during the Holocaust. Unity
Berlin, Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Also known as "the Netziv" from the initials of his Hebrew name. Lived 1817-1893. Author of Ha'amek Davar (sometimes called Emek Davar), Emek She'ela, and other commentaries. Owl Post, Ghosts, Dreams, Magic Wands
Be'Simcha u've'Tov Levav Contemporary book (in Hebrew) on the subject of happiness and enjoyment in Jewish thought, by Rav Hadar Yehuda Margolin of Jerusalem, Israel. Everyday Magic
Biyur Halacha By the author of the Mishna Berurah, and published alongside it, giving more in-depth analysis of some of its rulings. Magic Words
Blazer, Rav Yitzchak See Ohr Yisroel
Breslov, Rav Nachman Founding Rebbe of the Breslover Chassidic dynasty. Lived 1772-1810. Wands
Chacham Tzvi By Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Ashkenazi (1660-1718), applying Jewish Law to then-modern questions. Creating Bodies
Chatam Sofer Rabbi Moshe Sofer, scholar, expert on Jewish Law, lived 1762-1838. Author of commentaries and answers to practical questions in Jewish practice. Shabbat Magic
Chazon Ish Primary set of books on Jewish Law by Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz (lived 1878-1953), applying Jewish Law to contemporary issues. Rights of Magical Creatures, Magic Shows
Chida See Azulai.
Chochmas Adam Commentary by Rabbi Avraham Danzig, 1748-1820, on areas of Jewish Law relating to the Yoreh Deah section of the Shulchan Aruch. Magic Shows
Chok LeYisrael Book designed for daily study, written in the 1500's by students of the AriZal in Tsfat (Safed), to enable learning of all areas of Torah in spare time. Consists of Torah, Prophets, Writings, Mishna, Gemorah, Halacha, Mussar (character development), and Kabbalah. Magic Words, Abraham's Tree, Dreams
Chuster Rebbe Contemporary Chassidic Rabbi, orginally from America, currently living in Beit Shemesh, Israel. The current Chuster Rebbe published the book Toldos Aharon Moshe, written by his father the previous Chuster Rebbe. Ghosts, Unity
Daas Zekeinim Torah commentary from the Tosfos school of Talmudic analysts, from 12-14th century France. Flamel
Darkei Teshuvah Halachic Commentary on the Yoreh Deah section of the Shulchan Aruch, written in 1893, by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Shapira, a Chassidic leader in Hungary. Magic Shows
David, Rabbi Avishai Contemporary scholar, Rabbi, and educator, currently living in Beit Shemesh, Israel. Unity
Diskin, Maharil Commentary on the Midrash by Rabbi Yehuda Leib Diskin (1818-1898). Noah's Magical Creatures
Divrei Yoel See Satmar Rebbe
Em HaBanim Semeicha By Rabbi Yissocher Dov Teichtal (1885-1945), a compendium of hundreds of sources, supporting the author's original thoughts, on the importance of the Land of Israel and Jewish unity, especially in light of the holocaust. Everyday Magic, Shabbat Magic, Unity, Wands
Emek She'ela See Berlin
Encyclopedia Talmudit Contemporary encyclopedia of Talmudic concepts and issues. Dreams
Feinstein, Rav Moshe Halachic authority in pre-war Europe and post-war America, lived 1895-1986. Forerunner in applying Jewish law to modern circumstances. His responses to questions are collected in Igros Moshe (in Hebrew) among other books. Magic shows
Frand, Rabbi Yissochar Contemporary scholar and English-language speaker and author, currently living in Baltimore, Maryland. Mudbloods, Happens for a Reason, Unity
Gifter, Rav Mordechai Post-holocaust Rosh Yeshiva of Telz (Telshe) Yeshiva, in Cleveland, Ohio. Happens for a reason
Guide to the Perplexed See Rambam
Gur Aryeh See Maharal Flamel
Ha'amek Davar See Berlin, Rav Naftali Tzvi
Haber, Rabbi Yaacov Contemporary scholar, educator, and outreach professional. Formerly Director of Jewish Education for the Orthodox Union, now founder of TorahLab. Rabbi in Buffalo, NY, Melbourne, Australia, Monsey, NY, and Jerusalem. Shabbat Magic
Ha'Ksav ve'ha'Kabbalah Torah commentary written in 1839 by Rabbi Yaakov Tzvi Meklensburg, combining mysticism with linguistic analysis. Wands
Ibn Ezra Scholar, grammarian, astronomer, philosopher, and author of a Torah commentary and other works. Lived in Spain, 1089-1167. Snakes, Wands
Igros Moshe See Feinstein
Kamenetsky, Rav Yaakov Contemporary Rabbi, Rosh Yeshiva (dean) of Yeshiva Torah Va’daas in New York until his death in 1986 at the age of 95. Author of the Kol Yaakov Torah commentary, among other works. Rights of Magical Creatures
Kaplan, Rabbi Aryeh Contemporary English author until his death in 1983. Worked as a physicist until devoting himself to Jewish writings. He revealed to the modern ready many concepts previously known only by scholars, particularly mystical concepts. Ghosts, Flamel, Creating Bodies
Katz, Rabbi Eliyahu See Sifsei Kahuna
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Written by Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried (1804-1886) in Hungary, to reflect day-to-day Jewish law in a straightfoward fashion. Magic Shows
Kol Yaakov See Kamenetsky, Rabbi Yaakov
Kuntres Sefer Yetzira See Ashkoli
Lekutei Mohoran See Breslov
Levitansky, Rabbi Ahron Contemporary scholar and teacher, formerly a Jewish Outreach expert in Chicago, IL, and now educator in Cleveland, OH. Abraham's Tree, Destiny
Leow, Rav Yehuda See Maharal
Luzatto, Rav Moshe Chayim Known as the Ramchal, an acronym for his name. Lived 1707-1746. Introduction
Maaseh Ish See Chazon Ish Rights of Magical Creatures
Mabit See Trani Magical Protection
Machzik Bracha See Azulai.
Maharal Rabbi Yehuda Leow, known as the Maharal of Prague. Born in Posen in approximately 1513, died in Prague in approximately 1609. Author of numerous works, including many philosophical works, as well as the Gur Aryeh meta-commentary on Rashi’s Torah commentary. Famous for “decompartmentalizing” Torah, stressing connections between Talmud and Halacha, as well as study of Kabbalah. Magic Words, Mudbloods, Creating Bodies, Flamel, Unity
Maharasha Classic commentary on the Talmud, focusing on explaining the Midrashic / Aggadic portions, written in 1612 by Rabbi Shmuel Eliezer Aidel. Snakes, Flamel, Wands
Maimonides See Rambam
Mandelbaum, Rav Alexander Aryeh Contemporary scholar and author (in Hebrew) living in Jerusalem. Mudbloods, Wands
Manos HaLevi See Alkebetz
Margolin, Rav Hadar Yehuda See Be'Simcha u've'Tov Levav Everyday Magic
Matnas Chayim See Solomon
MiMa'amakim See Mandelbaum
Mishna Berurah Classic Jewish law text written by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (lived 1838-1933), author of Chofetz Chayim in the 1920's, commenting on the Orech Chayim (daily life section of the Shulchan Aruch), and elaborating on the Ashkenazic practices of the time. Magic Words, Everyday Magic, Creating Bodies
Nachmanides See Ramban
Nefesh HaChayim Philosophical and mystical book by Rav Chayim of Volozin. Magic Words
Netzach Yisrael see Maharal
Netziv See Berlin
Neustadt, Rabbi Daniel Contemporary scholar, teacher, and writer (in English) on issues in practical Jewish law, currently living in Cleveland, OH. Magic Shows
Nishmat Kol Chai Contemporary book by Rabbi Yechiel Michel Stern in Jerusalem (in Hebrew) collecting Torah sources relating to a wide variety of animals. Noah's Magical Creatures, Owl Post, Hyppogriff
Ohr Yisrael Philosophical writings based largely on the teachings of Rav Yisroel Salanter (1810-1883), founder of the Mussar Movement focusing on ethical growth, written by his disciple Rav Yitzchak Blazer. Originally written in Hebrew in the late 1800's, it was recently translated into English by Rabbi Zvi Miller. Ghosts
Onkolus Classic interpretive translation of the Torah into Aramaic, from the mishnaic era, written around 90 CE , known as "The Targum," meaning "the translation." Wands
Pischei Teshuva Classic commentary on the Yoreh Deah section of Shulchan Aruch, by Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Eisenstadt in 1836. Shabbat Magic, Creating Bodies, Magic Shows
Rabbeinu Yona Scholar and author from 12th century Spain, in the town of Gerona, and author of Sha’arei Teshuva and a number of other commentaries and books. Unity
Rambam Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, a.k.a. Maimonides. Famous Egyptian expert in Jewish law and philosophy, lived 1135-1204. Hippogriff, Rights of Magical Creatures, Magic Shows
Ramban Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman, a.k.a. Nachmanides. Lived 1194-1270. Commentator and mystic, author of commentaries on the Torah and Talmud, as well as a number of other books. Owl Post, Wands, epilogue
Ramchal See Luzatto
Rashi Premier classic comentary on the Torah and Talmud, usually printed alongside both. Lived 1040-1105. Quoted in almost every chapter
Resisei Laila See Tzodok HaCohen of Lublin
Ritva Rabbi Yom Tov ben Avraham, lived 1248-1330, spiritual leader of Spain, and author of a Talmudic commentary, emphasizing the non-legalistic portions of the Talmud. Ghosts
Sa'adia Gaon Saadia ben Yosef, leading scholar of the gaonic period, lived 882-942 CE, head of the famed Yeshiva in Pumbedisa. Flamel
Salanter, Rav Yisroel See Ohr Yisroel. Ghosts
Satmar Rebbe Rebbe of the Satmar Chassidic sect during and after the Holocaust. Abraham's Tree
Sefer HaChinuch Anonymously-authored work on the 613 mitzvot, according to their order in the Torah, first published in 1523. Magic Shows
Sefer HaMitzvos See Rambam
Sefer HaPardes Collection of Jewish thoughts from the school of Rashi. Happens for a reason
Sefer Yetzira Classic mystical text, whose tachings are attributed to Abraham (18th century BCE), and whose text was first written in the times of the Mishna in the first century of the common era. Referred to in the Talmud and early commentaries as a primary source of Kabbalistic magic. Flamel, Creating Bodies, Rights of Magical Creatures
Seforno, Rabbi Ovadia Italian sage, author of (among other works) a Torah commentary first published in 1567. Snakes, Hippogriff
Shach Sifsei Cohen commentary on the Shulchan Aruch, written by Rabbi Shasai Cohen (1622-1663). Magic Shows
She'iltos Rav Achai Gaon The first known post-Talmudic book of Jewish Law, written around 700 CE by Rabbi Achai of the Gaonic period. Dreams
Shevet HaLevi Contemporary collections of answers to modern-day questions in Jewish Law, by Rabbi Shmuel Wosner of Bnei Brak, Israel. Magic Shows
Shemen HaTov Torah commentary by Rabbi Dov Weinberger, a contemporary Rabbi in New York. Happens for a reason, Unity
Shita Mekubetzes A collection of Talmud commentary by Rabbi Betzalel Ashkenazi, the teacher of the AriZal, explaining the opinions of the earlier generation of Talmudic commentaries. Ghosts
Shnei Luchot HaBrit Esoteric commentary on the Torah by Rabbi Yeshaya Segal HaLevi Horowitz (approx 1565-1630), known as the Shla, the Hebrew initials of the book title. Initially a Rabbi in Prague, later in Jerusalem. Creating Bodies, Rights of Magical Creatures
Shternbuch, Rav Moshe Contemporary authority on Jewish Law and prolific author, previously in England and South Africa and then in Jerusalem. Leading figure in the Eida Chareidis of Jerusalem. Destiny, Magic Shows
Shulchan Aruch Classic text on Jewish Law written by Rav Yosef Karo in Israel in the 1500's, bringing together Jewish law opinions from earlier primary sources, incorporating Ashkenazic opinions but emphasizing Sefardic opinions. It was immediately amended with Ashkenazic opinions by Rav Moshe Isserlis, and the combined text has served as the basis of Jewish Law since. Magic words, Shabbat Magic, Creating Bodies, Dreams, Magic Shows
Sifsei Kehuna Contemporary booklets on holidays and other Torah thoughts, from Rav Eliyahu Katz, the Rabbi of Beit Midrash VaYoel Moshe, in the Satmar Chassidic neighborhood of Bnei Brak, Israel. Unity
Slifkin, Rabbi Noson Contemporary scholar and author (in English) on the subject of animals in Torah literature, currently living in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel. Noah's Magical Creatures, Hippogriff
Solomon, Rav Matisyahu Contemporary scholar, speaker (in English), and author (in Hebrew), formerly at the Yeshiva of Manchester, England, and currently at Bais Midrash Gavo'ah in Lakewood, NJ. Unity, Magical Protection
Solovetchik, Rav Yosef Ber Former Rosh HaYeshiva (Dean) of Yeshiva University, Rabbi in Boston, and leading scholar and thought leader of large segments of modern Orthodoxy in America. Lived 1903-1993. Mudbloods
Stern, Rabbi Yechiel Michel See Nishmat Kol Chai
Teichtal, Rav Yissocher Dov See Em HaBanim Semeicha
Teshuvos Rama Questions-and-answers on Jewish Law from the 1500's, by Rav Moshe Isserlis, author of the Ashkenazic amendments to the Shulchan Aruch. Magic Shows
Teshuvos Tashbetz Responsa by Rabbi Shimon Duran, written in the 15th century in Spain. Dreams
Teshuvos ve’Hanhagos See Shternbuch
Toldos Aharon Moshe See Chuster Rebbe
Torah Shleima Encyclopedic Torah commentary by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Kasher, collecting and commenting on all references to Torah verses from the Talmudic and Midrashic era. Abraham's Tree, Flamel, Destiny, Wands
Tosfos Classic commentary on the Talmud, printed alongside the Talmudic text in almost all printed editions of the Gemorah. Ghosts
Trani, Rabbi Moshe ben Yosef Known as the Mabit, author of Beit Elokim and other far-reaching works of Jewish philosophy. Lived in Tzefat (Safed), Israel, in the 16th Century CE. Magical Protection
Tzaar Baalei Chayim Contemporary book (in Hebrew) on the subject of treatment of animals, by Rav Yitzchak Nachman Ashkoli, a scholar living in Ofakim, Israel. Creating Bodies, Rights of Magical Creatures
Tzadok HaCohen, Rabbi Chassidic Rabbi from the town of Lublin, lived 1823-1900, author of many works, including Pri Tzaddik and Resisei Laila. Creating Bodies
Vilna Gaon Rabbi Eliyahu of Vilna, lived 1720-1797, leader of non-Chassidic Jewry of the time, prolific author and master of both intellectual Torah study and Kabbalistic mysticism.
Magic Words
Yabia Omer Contemporary Jewish law responsa, by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, leading Sephardic scholar in Israel. Magic shows
Yad Chazakah See Rambam
Yafeh Toar Classic commentary on Midrash Rabba, by Rabbi Shmuel Yafeh Ashkenazi. Noah's Magical Creatures
Yetzira See Sefer Yetzira
Yosef, Rabbi Ovadia See Yabia Omer.
Zohar Classic mystical Kabbalah text, written in the Mishnaic era, around 120 CE, by Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Magic Words, Abraham's Tree, Flamel, Dreams