Speaker's series: 'Spitting on the Truth' - fascinating Jewish superstitions

Have you heard any of these superstitions?

·  Spit three times saying pooh, pooh, pooh –“kenahora” (from Yiddish and Hebrew keyn ayin hara—stop the evil eye) after seeing, hearing, or learning about something awful to ward off the evil eye. Or after getting good news, do the same to ensure the evil eye doesn’t spoil a good time.

·  Wear a red string on your left wrist to ward off evil.

·  Always close a book (especially a prayer book) when finished to guard against  evil spirits who might steal holy knowledge and use it for evil purposes.

·  Don’t boast about your good health or great wealth lest you be stricken with an illness or see your investments nosedive.

Judaism, unlike many of its contemporaries, lacks the framework for superstitious belief and often condemns it. The Torah specifically warns against believing in lucky numbers and superstitious signs, as it can lead people away from God. However, following the Jewish diaspora, some Jewish communities partially adopted the superstitious customs of their neighbors.

To learn more about Jewish superstitions, join Rabbi Michael Lotker, former rabbinic leader of JCO, in a discussion about the wide array of Jewish superstitions, many with surprising origins.

This event is $ 5 for members,  $7 for non-members (if bought in advance) or $10 (at the door).