Red string (Kabbalah): Difference between revisions
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*[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012KNWESA/ Buy On Amazon ] |
*[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012KNWESA/ Buy On Amazon ] |
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*[https://ahuva.com/collections/red-string Read & Buy On Ahuva ] |
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*[http://red-strings.com/ Rachel's Tomb: Kabbalah Red String from the Tomb of Rachel] |
*[http://red-strings.com/ Rachel's Tomb: Kabbalah Red String from the Tomb of Rachel] |
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*[http://israelvisit.co.il/Rachel/ Faithful of Rachel's Tomb: The Mystical Red String from the Tomb of Rachel] |
*[http://israelvisit.co.il/Rachel/ Faithful of Rachel's Tomb: The Mystical Red String from the Tomb of Rachel] |
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Revision as of 17:03, 25 November 2017
Wearing a thin scarlet or crimson string (Hebrew: חוט השני) as a type of talisman is a Jewish folk custom as a way to ward off misfortune brought about by the "evil eye" (Hebrew: עין הרע). The tradition is popularly thought to be associated with Kabbalah and religious forms of Judaism.
The red string itself is usually made from thin scarlet wool thread. It is worn as a bracelet or band on the left wrist of the wearer (understood in some Kabbalistic theory as the receiving side of the spiritual body), knotted seven times. The person has to knot it 7 times while saying the kaballah bracelet prayer.
In relation to traditional beliefs
There is no written mention in the Torah, Halacha, or Kabbala about tying a red string around the wrist. It seems to be a custom that has been around since at least the early 1900s.[1]
The wearing of a red string cut from a longer length that has been wound around Rachel's Tomb is a recent (20 years) "fad" and is not segula (propitious remedy) to protect the wearer from danger. Some Jews argue that it has the opposite effect, saying that it is used in idol worship which is against God, and that therefore no good can come of it.
Red strings around the wrist are common in many folk beliefs,[1] for example the kalava is a Hindu version.
Biblical history
A scarlet thread, tied about the wrist, is mentioned in Genesis 38. Tamar becomes pregnant by her father-in-law, Judah, and gives birth to twin boys. The following verses about this event are taken from the King James Bible:
- Genesis, chapter 38:
- 27 - And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb.
- 28 - And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.
- 29 - And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.
- 30 - And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.
Modern trend
Today in Israel, it is common to see elderly women peddling scarlet thread for pilgrims and tourists, especially in the Old City of Jerusalem.[2][3]
Outside of Israel in the late 1990s the red string became popular with many celebrities, including many non-Jews. Led by Madonna and her children, and including Sasha Cohen,[4] and Leonardo DiCaprio.[5][6][7][8]
The wider popularity is often linked to Philip Berg's controversial Kabbalah Centre.[9][10]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Red String Bracelets: What's the Jewish Significance?". myjewishlearning.com. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
- ^ (Teman, Elly. 2008. "The Red String: A Cultural History of a Jewish Folk Symbol," in: Bronner, Simon J. (ed.), Jewishness: Expression, Identity, Representation, Inaugural volume in book series on Jewish Cultural Studies, Oxford: Littman Library of Jewish Civilization)link to article
- ^ Simon J. Bronner. "Jewish Cultural Studies, Volume 1 - Jewishness: Expression, Identity, and Representation". littman.co.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2010. Elly Teman. "The Red String: The Cultural History of a Jewish Folk Symbol". academia.edu. Retrieved 18 October 2010.
- ^ http://magazine.ivy.com/2015/01/sasha-cohen-figure-skating/
- ^ "Kabbalah: who has a red string and why?". Archived from the original on 2011-06-11.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YzabSdk7ZA&feature=BFa&list=UUZijND2e2tPp2AQL8Go2YSg
- ^ Nephin, Dan (12 February 2005). "Kabbalah not a celebrity fashion statement, Jews say". Deseret News.
- ^ Lappin, Elena (11 December 2004). "The Thin Red Line". London: The Guardian., investigative article
- ^ "Inside Hollywood's Hottest Cult". radaronline.com. Archived from the original on 2008-05-27.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Madonna Gives Her Money Away". Fox News. 2006-07-12.
External links
Explanatory
- Buy On Amazon
- Read & Buy On Ahuva
- Rachel's Tomb: Kabbalah Red String from the Tomb of Rachel
- Faithful of Rachel's Tomb: The Mystical Red String from the Tomb of Rachel
- Beliefnet: Why the Red String?
- Teman, Elly. 2008. "The Red String: A Cultural History of a Jewish Folk Symbol," in: Bronner, Simon J. (ed.), Jewishness: Expression, Identity, Representation, Inaugural volume in book series on Jewish Cultural Studies, Oxford: Littman Library of Jewish Civilization.
- Ask the Rabbi: Red Strings