Deer-Skin Parchment (Klaf), approx. A4

Deer skin is highly regarded by our Sages and by the kabbalists: the deer is a gentle, pure and swift animal, symbolizing escape from negative forces and distance from harm. Rabbi Chaim Vital, the disciple of the Ari, wrote in his kabbalistic works that there is a difference between the hides of different animals, and that an animal which is pursued yet survives – like the deer – receives an abundance of protection from Heaven. Writing holy names on deer skin is therefore considered a segulah (spiritual remedy) for protection from spiritual harm. Kabbalistic writings such as Sha’arei Tzedek by Rabbi Moshe Zacuto note that writing certain verses connected to abundance on deer skin opens channels of success, and some place at home an amulet of deer skin with verses from Parashat HaMan as a segulah for livelihood. It is also linked to focus and memory in holy work, since the skin on which a holy word is written affects the reader as well.