mysticism
Salt - An Old Tradition Becomes ReNEWed
Submitted by Administrator on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 07:58Salt -
It is customary that salt is one of the first items we bring into a new home along with bread and wine. As salt is one of the essential ingredients in a good meal along with bread and wine for celebration!
About the Hamsa
Submitted by Administrator on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 08:26Hamsa (Khamssa)
is a hand-shaped amulet, with the palm facing out, the fingers spread open, in essence blocking the evil eye. It is commonly used by Jews and Muslims to ward off evil spirits.. Today, the hamsa is perceived as a "good luck" charm. Somehow, a trinket to bring on good luck is more positive in spirit than one protecting from evil spirits. The hamsa can be seen on necklaces, bracelets, hanging from a car rearview mirror etc.
Superstitions relating to keeping the "evil eye" away...
Submitted by Administrator on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 21:34To change the name of a sick person in order to fool the angel of death
If a baby is named after a person who died young, also give a name after someone who lived long
Not to complement- say the opposite- so as not to attract the evil eye
Saying kein an ahore
My mother did a warding gesture- thumb between index & middle finger
Red bendles- especially around a newborn- this was way before the new interest in Kaballah
When fisrt entering a new home, bring salt, sugar & bread
Thanks to Elaine Belkind for these superstitions.
Protecting the Babies... Superstitions
Submitted by Administrator on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 21:47Garlic and red ribbons were placed on the baby's crib to protect it from the evil eye, or demons. Lilith, one such demon, is specifically suspected of stealing small children for herself, since, as legend has it, she is forever bitter about her own inability to bear children.
Jewish amulets contain verse from Psalms to ward off evil spirits, especially the verse, "The sun shall not smite thee by day, neither the moon by night." (Psalm 121:6).
Adolescence: First Menstruation for Girls
Submitted by Administrator on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 21:49
I found a wonderful site with many different rituals and customs for this life cycle event. An Askenazi custom (minhag) for mothers to slap their daughters in the face on this occasion. The reasons varied from 'slapping sense' into a newly fertile girl so she would know not to disgrace the family to helping to bring a healthy flush to her face because of the bleeding. This is more of a superstition than a tradition and is also said to keep the evil spirits away.
Don't put the hat on the bed
Submitted by Administrator on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 22:00While it is not certain that this is from Jewish origins, it seems the superstition comes from a time when people believed that evil spirits lived in the hair. This could have been believed from the static electricity that would discharge in the air when taking a hat off in a warm, dry environment. It is also believed that you don’t lay your hat where you’re going to lay your head because evil spirits spill out from hats. Another view on this custom is one of sanitary origins. Keeping the hat off from the bed also meant keeping lice from infesting the hat or the bed.
Shoes
Submitted by Administrator on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 22:01When someone dies they used to take their shoes out into the woods and throw them in all directions. I remember my mother telling me the shoes of a dead person should not be worn again. Today, we would not want to liter the woods with shoes, but some still will destroy or throw them away rather than giving them to someone to wear.
Red Ribbon - Protect the Babies!
Submitted by Administrator on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 23:00Tie a red ribbon on the babies carriage or crib for protection.
This comes from a very old superstition and folklore about keeping the evil spirits away from the children. There is "magic" in the color red and the quote from Psalm 121 and the the 3 angels Sanvai, Sansanvai and Semanglof. All which is represented in the ribbons we offer!
