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Superstition in Judaism

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81: 75: 1090: 87: 1637: 1174:, for instance, answered a woman who desired to bewitch him stating that "It is written, There is none else beside Him'". In other words, Rav Hanina stated that the women's superstitious beliefs were foolish seeing as God has the final say in all things. The Talmud does however, contain some superstitious beliefs, in 1256:, a plethora of superstitions were common. How far these customs and ideas can be classified as specifically "Jewish" is another and more difficult question. In many cases they can be traced to the habits of their neighbors; in others, while they are common to most other gentile sections of the country. 1178:
111b for example, it states "It is unwise to be between two dogs, two palms, or two women; and it is equally unwise for two men to be separated by one of these" although most Rabbis interpret this not as a superstition but rather to guard against lustful thoughts (see mishnayos in
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containing the names of angels charged with healing and invocations of various sorts was often thought to be a prophylactic against certain illnesses and the Evil eye. The practice is mentioned in the
1202:) features prominently in rabbinic writings, one of which teaching saying, "ninety-nine die from the effects of the evil eye (i.e. prematurely), while one dies by the hand of heaven." The wearing of 1187:
105b it states "Drink not froth, for it gives cold in the head; nor blow it away, for that gives headache; nor get rid of it otherwise, for that brings poverty; but wait until it subsides".
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and even in a high degree influenced religious ceremonies. However many Medieval rabbis were fervently against superstition, as they saw it as a form of assimilation and idol worship.
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were carried out on a regular basis and many superstitious beliefs found themselves being canonized into Medieval law. These ideas found their way into
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107b, with slight variant: "Ninety-nine die from the effects of the evil eye (i.e. prematurely), while one dies the way of the world."
1147: 1009: 1508: 1468: 1285: 1120: 27:. Judaism, unlike many of its contemporaries, lacks the framework for superstitious belief and often condemns it. Because 1309: 982: 407: 1183:). In Pesachim 111a it states "It is dangerous to borrow a drink of water, or to step over water poured out", and in 1660: 193: 97: 1704: 213: 156: 1167: 1074: 972: 695: 43:
specifically warns against believing in lucky numbers and superstitious signs, as it can lead people away from
1395: 1651: 1500: 223: 123: 1689: 1212: 1064: 700: 1146:, superstition lost its idolatrous character and was no longer seen as a large threat, as it was in the 1113: 1069: 987: 1249: 1044: 977: 132: 1270: 999: 690: 463: 299: 1331: 1552: 1059: 389: 203: 166: 58: 1365: 1248:
In modern times, the widespread belief in superstition has drastically gone down following the
1618: 1565: 1532: 1525: 1518: 1504: 1474: 1464: 1460: 1433: 1275: 1237: 482: 277: 185: 1428: 1423: 1280: 1171: 1106: 768: 667: 403: 364: 349: 105: 80: 51:, some Jewish communities partially adopted the superstitious customs of their neighbours. 1673: 1195: 1004: 912: 806: 359: 151: 116: 48: 1646: 1253: 1094: 868: 663: 552: 458: 354: 230: 218: 161: 144: 111: 44: 24: 1683: 1641: 1492: 1150:. That being said, superstition still remained a taboo, especially in communities in 920: 835: 344: 244: 208: 74: 1229: 1054: 1049: 994: 873: 778: 738: 685: 639: 443: 252: 1452: 1438: 1225: 1180: 680: 137: 86: 1305: 1233: 1139: 925: 675: 468: 263: 36: 1548: 1478: 893: 592: 438: 415: 1228:, Jewish superstition was greatly strengthened, owing in large measure to 1162:, implemented prohibitory laws against superstition, mostly in regards to 1191: 1175: 1163: 950: 935: 898: 888: 883: 748: 634: 587: 573: 430: 379: 198: 171: 28: 1640: This article incorporates text from a publication now in the 1207: 1203: 1155: 1151: 1143: 1034: 940: 858: 763: 753: 708: 568: 563: 534: 522: 490: 369: 336: 320: 315: 305: 268: 66: 20: 1265: 1184: 1159: 1039: 930: 878: 863: 853: 848: 821: 816: 799: 773: 758: 743: 718: 713: 629: 582: 557: 539: 453: 448: 425: 384: 374: 310: 287: 282: 32: 945: 843: 792: 785: 649: 644: 624: 619: 614: 529: 517: 512: 507: 500: 495: 420: 292: 258: 40: 1029: 544: 19:
refers to the credulous beliefs in the supernatural present in
1596:"Bring on the 'bubbe meises': A look at Jewish superstitions" 1252:. Among some Jewish communities, especially those in 1114: 8: 1623:: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ( 1594:Light, Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish. 1121: 1107: 53: 1366:"SUPERSTITION - JewishEncyclopedia.com" 1297: 1154:where superstition was pervasive. Many 65: 1669: 1658: 1616: 1457:Halikhot Teiman (Jewish Life in Sana) 1396:"Superstition, tradition, and change" 7: 1360: 1358: 1356: 1330:Miller, Dr Yvette Alt (2018-10-28). 1199: 1332:"Judaism and Common Superstitions" 14: 1649:; et al., eds. (1901–1906). 1286:Superstitions in Muslim societies 1655:. New York: Funk & Wagnalls. 1635: 1400:jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com 1138:With the absolute acceptance of 1088: 85: 79: 73: 1606:from the original on 2020-06-09 1576:from the original on 2020-08-01 1406:from the original on 2020-08-01 1376:from the original on 2020-08-01 1342:from the original on 2020-06-09 1312:from the original on 2020-08-01 1: 1700:Judaism-related controversies 1721: 1695:Jewish belief and doctrine 1370:www.jewishencyclopedia.com 1232:surroundings, trials for 47:. However, following the 1459:(in Hebrew). Jerusalem: 31:was deeply connected to 1652:The Jewish Encyclopedia 1566:"Jews and superstition" 1501:Oxford University Press 17:Superstition in Judaism 1600:St. Louis Jewish Light 1553:Alpha Beta la-Ben Sira 1213:Alpha Beta la-Ben Sira 1306:"Deuteronomy 18:9-13" 1463:. pp. 271–274. 1250:Age of Enlightenment 1271:Christian mythology 1210:, and in the book, 1000:Abrahamic religions 899:Selichot (S'lichot) 691:Bar and bat mitzvah 194:Principles of faith 1095:Judaism portal 1060:Holocaust theology 39:superstition, the 1668:Missing or empty 1661:cite encyclopedia 1461:Ben-Zvi Institute 1434:Babylonian Talmud 1276:Islamic mythology 1238:Jewish literature 1131: 1130: 483:Important figures 157:Reconstructionist 1712: 1705:Jewish mythology 1677: 1671: 1666: 1664: 1656: 1639: 1638: 1629: 1628: 1622: 1614: 1612: 1611: 1591: 1585: 1584: 1582: 1581: 1562: 1556: 1546: 1540: 1514:, s.v. 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Index

Judaism
Jewish culture
idolatry
Canaanite
Bronze Age
Torah
God
Jewish diaspora
a series
Judaism
Star of David
Ten Commandments
Menorah
Movements
Orthodox
Haredi
Hasidic
Modern
Conservative
Conservadox
Reform
Karaite
Reconstructionist
Renewal
Humanistic
Haymanot
Philosophy
Principles of faith
Kabbalah
Messiah

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