The Jewish occult beliefs and witchcraft have been a subject of interest and speculation for many years. While Judaism is primarily a monotheistic religion, there is evidence to suggest that certain mystical practices and beliefs have existed within Jewish communities throughout history. These practices are often referred to as Kabbalah, which is a form of Jewish mysticism that explores the hidden meanings of the Torah and the nature of God. In Kabbalah, there is a belief in the existence of supernatural forces and entities, such as angels and demons. These mystical teachings also incorporate elements of astrology, divination, and magical rituals. However, it is important to note that these practices are not universally accepted within Jewish tradition, and there is a wide range of interpretations and beliefs among Jewish scholars and communities.
The threat of a witch may be deterred by reciting the following curse (Pesahim 110a): “May boiling excrement in a sieve be forced into your mouth, (you) witches! May your head go bald and carry off your crumbs; your spices be scattered, and the wind carry off the new saffron in your hands, witches!”
Yet in other biblical contexts, practices that would seem to be similarly questionable interpreting dreams, using magic staffs, reciting blessings or curses, and referring to oracles figure prominently as suitable behaviors for Israelite heroes. Rabbi Akiva said in the name of Rabbi Yehoshua, There is a case where two people gather cucumbers with sorcery, and one isn t punished and the other is.
However, it is important to note that these practices are not universally accepted within Jewish tradition, and there is a wide range of interpretations and beliefs among Jewish scholars and communities. Witchcraft, on the other hand, is often associated with pagan or Wiccan practices and is not traditionally a part of Jewish religious belief. However, there are some instances where individuals may identify as Jewish witches or practitioners of Jewish witchcraft.
Witches Get Stitches: Jewish Approaches to the Occult Through the Ages
Magic is to be expected and generally to be found whenever man comes to an unbridgeable gap, a hiatus in his knowledge or in his powers of practical control and yet has to continue in his pursuit. Forsaken by his knowledge, balled by the results of his experience, unable to apply any effective technical skill, he realizes his impotence. Yet his desire grips him only the more strongly. His fears and hopes, his general anxiety, produce state of unstable equilibrium in his organism by which he is driven to some sort of vicarious activity.
(יז) מְכַשֵּׁפָ֖ה לֹ֥א תְחַיֶּֽה׃ (ס)(17) Thou shalt not suffer a sorceress to live.
המכשף העושה מעשה חייב ולא האוחז את העינים ר"ע אומר משום ר' יהושע שנים לוקטין קשואין אחד לוקט פטור ואחד לוקט חייב העושה מעשה חייב האוחז את העינים פטור:
When it comes to a sorcerer, someone who actually practices sorcery is liable to be stoned, but not one who makes an illusion. Rabbi Akiva said in the name of Rabbi Yehoshua, There is a case where two people gather cucumbers with sorcery, and one isn't punished and the other is. The one who uses sorcery is punished, and the one who makes an illusion isn't.
מכשפה אחד האיש ואחד האשה א"כ מה ת"ל מכשפה מפני שרוב נשים מצויות בכשפים
When the Torah says not to let the "sorceress" live, it refers to either male or female. If so why does it say sorceress? Because mostly women are involved in sorcery.
אמר רבי יוחנן למה נקרא שמן כשפים שמכחישין פמליא של מעלה: (דברים ד, לה) אין עוד מלבדו
Rabbi Yochanan said, Why are they called K'shaphim (witches)? Because they uproot (machishin) the heavenly servants (familia). "And there is none but Him".
אמר אביי הלכות כשפים כהלכות שבת יש מהן בסקילה ויש מהן פטור אבל אסור ויש מהן מותר לכתחלה העושה מעשה בסקילה האוחז את העינים פטור אבל אסור מותר לכתחלה כדרב חנינא ורב אושעיא כל מעלי שבתא הוו עסקי בהלכות יצירה ומיברי להו עיגלא תילתא ואכלי ליה
Abaye said, The laws of sorcery are like the laws of work on Shabbat, in that, some actions get you stoned, some actions are exempt from punishment but forbidden, and some are allowed ab initio. The one who performs sorcery is stoned. the one who makes illusions is exempt from stoning but still did wrong. Things that are allowed are like the actions of Rav Chanina and Rav Oshaya, who would learn the laws of creation every Friday night and a young calf would be created for them and they would eat it.
Medieval and Modern Magics
Gedalyah Nigal: Magic, Mysticism, and Hasidism (20th century, Israel)
. [k]efitzat ha-derekh , [is] the miraculous "shortening of the way." It was assumed that by means of the "holy names," knowledge of which was essential for the activity of a baal shem , it was possible to shorten the traveling time of a journey and arrive at a faraway destination in a relatively short period of time. kefitzat ha-derekh also could take place at sea or in the air. In most instances, kefitzat ha-derekh was necessary in order to arrive in time before the beginning of the Sabbath, before the beginning of a holiday, or in time for a circumcision or wedding ceremony. The motif of kefitzat ha-derekh also entered the hasidic story, but in contrast with other supernatural motifs, it appears only in the first generations of Hasidism, before it disappeared entirely. The reason for this is quite prosaic: mankind's quest to shorten the journey was achieved, by means of fast trains and airplanes; the miracle had become everyday reality.
Yehudah HaHasid (12th century Ashkenaz)
One who engages in adjurations of angels or of demons or magical incantations —his end will not be well, and evils will befall him or his children all his days. Therefore one ought to distance himself from doing all of these, and also resist [engaging in] dream questions [e.g.,] in order to know what wife to take or in what matter he will or will not always succeed. And do not [use] bouquets that are called in the language of Ashkenaz wegerich [plantains], for adjuring the wegerich is forbidden, as it is written, “be simple with the Lord your God” (Dt 18:13), and [one should not adjure] with anything. For ultimately his situation will be irreparable—how many did [adjurations] and how many asked [dream questions] and were diminished or apostatized or fell seri ously ill, they or their children? And one should not ask others to do so for him. Nothing is thus better for a person than to pray to the Blessed Holy One for all his needs. He is merciful and compas sionate and repents of the evil [that he has decreed]. And how many prophets have been killed rather than adjure with a Holy Name? Rather they stood in prayer and said, “If our prayer is not heard, we will know that we were not worthy of being saved,” and they acted exclusively by means of prayer.
Yehudah HaHasid
If one were to ask: How can [God] be present everywhere, yet remain invisible to the eye? It is possible to respond that He created an example in His world. If one places hot ash on hot excrement, it will harm the one who produced [the excrement]. And although we cannot see any connection between the excrement and the person's body, nonetheless the body will be harmed by the power of the excrement. Thus, there must be some connection between the two which is too subtle to see. Just as [this connection] is real, even though it cannot be seen by the eye, so too our Creator, may his Name be blessed, is a real entity, whose power is in everything, even though we have never seen Him. If one were to ask: How are we to believe that [God] is omnipotent, since He cannot be seen? I will offer you an example: one can adjure a sword so that it will not cut him, or a piece of white-hot iron so that it will not burn him. And even though we see no boundary between the sword or the iron and the body, we know that there is something in the way, preventing the cutting or the burning, even though it is too subtle to see.
Yehudah HaHasid, as relayed by Israel Ta-Shma, 20th c.
The wondrous proof that God can cause the righteous to cleave to Him is the stone that attracts iron to itself, despite the fact that no one can see by what means it pulls it. It is intended to show that God knows those who trust in him—"He has created a remembrance of His wonders.".
. Now if one were to ask, "How will [the souls of the dead] be transported immediately [to Heaven or Hell]?" The stone that attracts iron can demonstrate this, for it attracts a needle to itself in an instant. And the captain of a ship can even use it to discern in which direction his ship is traveling. He brings the magnet in a bowl of water, and places a needle next to it, and asks his fellow: "Where should the ship travel?" If he answers, "east," and the ship is pointing west, the needle will travel round the magnet via a circular path. and if the ship is pointing east, [the needle] will remain straight. "He has created a remembrance of His wonders," so that we may believe that in an instant the soul can cleave to Heaven or to hell, via a straight or circular path.
When Magic and Law Collide
When it comes to a sorcerer, someone who actually practices sorcery is liable to be stoned, but not one who makes an illusion. Rabbi Akiva said in the name of Rabbi Yehoshua, There is a case where two people gather cucumbers with sorcery, and one isn't punished and the other is. The one who uses sorcery is punished, and the one who makes an illusion isn't.
These individuals often combine elements of Jewish mysticism with contemporary witchcraft practices, such as spellcasting and divination. Overall, while Jewish occult beliefs and witchcraft may exist within certain Jewish communities, it is important to recognize that they are not representative of mainstream Jewish religious practices. It is also crucial to approach these topics with respect and understanding, as beliefs and practices can vary greatly among individuals and communities..
Reviews for "The Practice of Witchcraft in Jewish Communities: Historical Perspectives"
- John Smith - 1/5 stars - I found this book to be incredibly offensive and disrespectful. The author's portrayal of Jewish occult beliefs and witchcraft was not only inaccurate but also perpetuated harmful stereotypes. It felt like the author was trying to sensationalize and exoticize Jewish traditions for the sake of entertainment, with little regard for the truth or the impact it might have on the Jewish community. I would strongly discourage anyone from reading this book, as it promotes ignorance and prejudice rather than fostering understanding and respect.
- Sarah Johnson - 2/5 stars - I picked up this book with hopes of learning more about Jewish occult beliefs and witchcraft, but unfortunately, I was left disappointed. The author seemed to rely heavily on outdated and unfounded sources, which made the content feel unreliable. Additionally, the book lacked depth and failed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. I would recommend looking for more scholarly and credible sources if you're genuinely interested in exploring Jewish occult beliefs and witchcraft.
- Michael Thompson - 1/5 stars - I'm quite familiar with Jewish occult beliefs and witchcraft, and I was dismayed by the way this book misrepresents and sensationalizes these traditions. The author seemed more interested in creating a mystical and mysterious atmosphere rather than providing accurate information. This book perpetuates harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about Jewish practices, which is incredibly disrespectful to practitioners of the faith. I would strongly advise against reading it.