In Without Bounds I noticed and became interested in the idea of boundaries and their reoccurrence throughout the book. Some of these boundaries in the book are: the line between Judaism and Islam, the line between the demon world and our world, and a line distinguishing how far is too far with magic. Wazana is often found straddling the line between all of these.
Though Wazana is a Jewish rabbi, he dips his toe into Islamic folk religion practices. For example, as part of his ability to control the demon world he must say the Muslim prayers each morning. This use of both religions is one way in which Wazana distinguishes himself from other healers but it also gives him more power than other healers.
When it comes to the demon world and our own Wazana can also be found at it’s border. He has this rare ability to control the jnun. By following his 3 conditions he is able to communicate to the demon world and therefore fix problems in the real world. He also married to a female demon and has several demon children with her.
Wazana is often found on the edge of what is too far when it comes to his communication with demons and his use of magic. He often goes farther than other healers will. For example, he was one of the only holy men to employ istinzal, a ritual the involved having children communicate to demons with a drop of oil or ink placed in his or her hand. Others saw this practice as difficult, complicated and dangerous. Wazana thought otherwise and the ritual became his “trademark”. In the end Wazana crosses the border of power and ends up exchanging his life for it.
Overall Wazana’s habit of living on borders was what made him special and powerful, but also what caused his demise.
