Avoiding catastrophe and bad luck has been part of the human psyche since time immemorial. Among Jews, bad luck is often linked to the eiyen hora (the bad eye), more commonly known as the “evil eye.”
Many of the Jewish customs –I prefer that word over superstitions – have come about in order to hold back the evil eye, which if it had its way would make our lives miserable.
Some of these customs have been derived by Jews from other cultures, while some are interpretations of ancient Jewish texts. Nearly all are quaint and harmless and have the psychological effect of reassuring oneself that things will turn out well.
Exclaiming “poo-poo-poo” is a common custom for holding back the evil eye when something very good or very bad is going to happen. According to a Lithuanian friend of mine, this custom has its origins in Eastern Europe. I can still hear my mother following this practice, and I miss her doing it. Some people also spit three times for emphasis.
An equivalent custom is wearing a red string or a red bead, which are also believed to ward off bad luck. Some mothers tie red strings on a baby’s bed, or place a red string or a red bead on a baby’s wrist. Some say this practice derives from Kabballah.
Another theory ties the red string to Rachel, who sacrificed her good years for her sister Leah. Many women who associate Rachel with good luck pray at her tomb for their children, for good health, for their families or for any other request. I have been to Rachel’s tomb several times and have seen women praying, crying and kissing the tomb. Many visit the tomb before marriage or before embarking on a new beginning.
In a similar custom, Jews often write a request of God on a piece of paper and stick it between the huge stones of the western wall or the tombs of Israel’s rabbis.
A poignant custom among many Jews is to give an additional name to someone who is sick to boost his or her longevity. For years I thought my uncle’s name was Alter (Yiddish for old one) when in fact it was Avraham. Sadly he died at twenty-one despite the additional name. My father in his last ailing years received the added name of Chaim (life), which was engraved on his tombstone.
According to some Jewish traditions, stepping over someone who is lying down will stunt the person’s growth, and stepping back over the person will mitigate the first step. My son once stepped over a ten-year-old boy who was so horrified, that my son stepped back over him. He didn’t want to lose a friend.
Sephardi women began the tradition of wearing amulets in the shape of a hamsa (hand), which are generally considered good luck charms. Girls and women can be seen wearing them all over Israel today. Sephardi jewelers are known for their silver filigree hamsas, which are often studded with semi-precious stones. Artists have also created lovely paintings and wall hangings using the hamsa symbol.
One of the most prominent early appearances of the hamsa is the image of a large open hand on the Puerta Judiciaria (Gate of Judgment) of the Alhambra, a 14th century Islamic fortress in southern Spain. The Alhambra image is said to draw upon the Arabic word khamsa which means "five," a number which itself is identified with fighting the evil eye.
It would not be unusual for an Islamic symbol to find its way into Sephardic Jewish culture, which flourished alongside Islam. Amulets are somewhat problematic in Judaism. Still, the Talmud refers on several occasions to amulets, or kamiyot, which might come from the Hebrew meaning "to bind." One law allows for carrying an approved amulet on the Sabbath, suggesting that amulets were common amongst Jews at some points in history. (Shabbat 53a, 61a)
How high a girl holds the Havdalah candle for the ceremony that ends the Sabbath is said to indicate the height of her bridegroom. Many a single female, including myself, would hold it as high as possible. My husband is over six feet tall, so I guess it worked.
Can there be a Jewish wedding without the ceremonial breaking of a glass? The shattering glass signifies the destruction of the first and second Jewish temples, but it’s quickly followed by jubilation and shouts of l‘chaim (to life).
The Ashkenazi custom of a bride circling the groom seven times, called hakofot, is thought by many to ward off the evil eye. This custom has many interpretations and reputed origins: the seven circles represent the seven times it’s said in the Bible that a man takes a wife; according to the Torah, creation took seven days, and by circling the bride seven times, a new household is created; and circling the bride brings down any walls between the bride and groom, just as Joshua brought down the walls of Jericho by circling the city seven times.
Some families follow the tradition of circling only three times. This tradition has been linked to the Book of Isaiah, where God utters “I will betroth to thee” three times.
These customs (or superstitions), which have been part of Jewish life for generations, help define us and make us more interesting people. They are unlikely to cause harm, but they are very likely to make good fodder for conversation.
According to the words found in a 13th century German-Jewish treatise entitled The Book of the Pious, “One should not believe in superstitions, but it is best to be heedful of them.”
Arlene Becker Zarmi of Shorewood is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in more than 40 publications nationwide, and is a Jewish genre and portrait artist.
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