The Evil Eye
The evil eye is a spiritual-mystical concept denoting a negative influence stemming from envy, hatred, or a narrow-minded gaze of one person toward another.
Belief in the evil eye is prevalent in many cultures and various religions, including Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. According to this perception, a hostile look or bad thoughts can negatively affect a person’s health, their livelihood, and their mood.
There are numerous historical accounts of belief in the evil eye. In ancient Greek culture, for example, blue eyes were commonly painted on the walls of houses to ward off the effects of an envious gaze.
In ancient Rome, people used to wear amulets in the shape of eyes or other symbols to protect themselves. In the Middle East and North Africa, belief in the evil eye is particularly widespread, and symbols of hamsas and blue eyes can be found in almost every home.
The Evil Eye in Judaism
In Judaism, the evil eye is mentioned in many sources, including the Talmud and Kabbalistic texts. The Sages warned against the influences of the evil eye and suggested means to avoid it.
One of the most well-known expressions is Jacob’s blessing to Joseph: “Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring; its branches run over the wall” (Genesis 49:22), which serves as protection against the evil eye.
Belief in the evil eye also appears in the Mishnah Avot: “Rabbi Yehoshua ben Ferkhyah says: The evil eye, the evil inclination, and hatred of humankind take a person out of the world” (Avot 2:11). This means that not only can a person be harmed by the evil eye of others, but they can cause harm through envy and negative thoughts.
The Evil Eye According to Maimonides (Rambam)
Maimonides, who was a philosopher and physician, expressed a skeptical approach to the evil eye. He argued that it was a baseless belief with no scientific basis. However, he acknowledged that belief in the phenomenon affects those who believe in it and that sometimes the very belief in the evil eye can cause psychological harm.
Maimonides argued that the feeling of fear of the evil eye is what harms a person more than anything else. According to him, a person who is convinced that they are under the influence of an evil eye may experience anxiety, depression, and even psychosomatic illnesses. Therefore, he recommended avoiding superstitions and adhering to a rational approach to life.
Evil Eye Symptoms
People who believe in the evil eye claim that it can be identified by various signs, such as:
Sudden feelings of fatigue and unexplained weakness
Disruptions in livelihood or work for no apparent reason
Persistent bad luck
A feeling of heaviness or pressure in the chest
Unexplained breaking of objects in the house
Babies or infants crying for no apparent reason
What to Do Against the Evil Eye
Various measures can be taken to defend against the evil eye:
Wearing amulets such as a red string or a blue eye
Saying prayers and blessings such as “Ben Porat Yosef”
Using salt to purify negative energy
Washing the body with water and sea salt
Performing mystical rituals such as lead pouring
Hanging hamsas or special amulets on the door of the house
Purifying the House from the Evil Eye
Purifying the house from the evil eye is important for maintaining positive energy. This can be done by:
Burning sage or frankincense
Spraying water with sea salt in the four corners of the house
Placing symbolic objects such as a hamsa or a blue eye
Playing prayers or reading Psalms
Bringing energy-purifying plants into the house, such as rosemary, basil, or Ruta chalepensis.
Incantation Against the Evil Eye
There are various incantations used for protection against the evil eye. One well-known incantation is: “May God protect me from the evil eye, from all envy and all evil, may He shine His face upon me and bless me with a good blessing.”
This incantation can be said over water and sprinkled in the house to protect all its inhabitants.
Customs Against the Evil Eye
Folk customs can also be used against the evil eye:
Lightly spitting three times after receiving a compliment
Turning a specific ring on a finger
Using verses from the Tanakh(Jewish bible) or special amulets
Tying a red string around the wrist
Purification rituals with candles and holy water
Lead Use Against the Evil Eye
Lead pouring is an ancient method for removing the evil eye. In this process, lead is melted and poured into cold water, after which its shape is interpreted to diagnose and eliminate negative influences.
The use of lead against the evil eye is particularly common among Eastern Jewish communities and in Kabbalistic traditions. The ritual is performed by a skilled person who pours the lead over the person’s head to release them from evil influences.
Virtue Against the Evil Eye (Segulah)
One well-known virtue is the reading of Psalms, especially Psalm 91, which is considered a shield against negative forces.
Virtues Against the Evil Eye (Segulot)
There are many virtues against the evil eye, including:
Wearing a red string from Rachel’s Tomb
Saying “Shema Yisrael” in the morning and evening
Using the Rue plant
Preparing a bowl of water with lemon, salt, and olive oil to place in the house
Being careful to maintain positive thoughts and avoid envy
Virtues of the Rue Plant Against the Evil Eye (Segulot)
The rue plant is known for its properties of protection against the evil eye. It can be used by:
Carrying a leaf from it in the wallet
Burning it in the house to purify negative energies
Dripping rue oil around the house for protection
Planting a rue plant in the home garden for protection
Through the methods and virtues mentioned, it is possible to defend against the evil eye and maintain a peaceful and balanced life.
Samuel Zohar Yanai – Spiritual Healer and Remover of the Evil Eye
Samuel Zohar Yanai is a Kabbalistic spiritual healer with over 25 years of experience, specializing in the removal of the evil eye, spells, and energetic protections according to Kabbalah.
He offers processes for removing negative blockages resulting from envy and the evil eye, to restore the flow of positive energy to the lives of his patients.
In addition, Samuel performs energetic protections to prevent future attacks, using codes from the Zohar and Kabbalah to provide spiritual, energetic, and physical healing.
For more details on the process of removing the evil eye according to Kabbalah, you can visit the information page on the website.
