Ayin Hara

There exists an ancient belief known as "ayin hara," or "The Evil Eye," which teaches that certain supernatural forces can have a negative influence on one's welfare. While this may appear to be a matter reserved only for the mystically inclined, it is actually far more than a mere superstition. The Torah and Talmud both take for granted that such a power exists, and repeatedly counsel us to conduct ourselves accordingly. For example, we are taught that Sarah placed an ayin hara upon Hagar, causing her to miscarry.[1] So too, Yaakov warned his sons not to be seen together on the way down to Egypt in order to avoid the ayin hara.[2]

It is well known that one is forbidden to count people, which is also an enactment which was established in order to avoid the ayin hara. When counting men for a minyan one is not permitted to specifically count the individuals present, but rather, one should count kippot, fingers,[3] or use some other creative method[4] in order to determine if a minyan is present. When Moshe was commanded to take a census of the Jewish people, we are told that he had everyone contribute a half-shekel coin. He then simply counted how many coins had been given and by doing so was able to determine how people there were.[5] King David made a fatal mistake when he disregarded this historical precedent and counted the Jewish people directly. As a result of this error, the ayin hara wreaked havoc upon the nation and was responsible for a plague which killed seventy thousand Jews.[6] We see from here that once the ayin hara is unleashed it does not distinguish between the guilty and the innocent. It is taught that one who fears that an ayin hara has come upon him should stare at his left nostril in order to neutralize it.[7]

Another popular safeguard which is employed in order to avoid the ayin hara is the sequence in which people are called to the Torah. We are taught that close relatives, such as two brothers or a father and son, should not be called to the Torah one after the other in fear of the ayin hara.[8] It is believed that the ayin hara is aroused when members of the same family are honored in public one after the other, especially when this is done in the course of the Torah reading.  In fact, even if a father and son were to come forward and say that they are not concerned for the ayin hara, we would still not be permitted to award them consecutive aliyot![9]

Similarly, we are taught that it was the ayin hara which was responsible for Moshe breaking the tablets of the Ten Commandments. This is because the ayin hara had been aroused as a result of the very public manner in which the Ten Commandments were given. On the other hand, the second set of the Ten Commandments which were given to Moshe in a private ceremony were those which survived for many years thereafter.[10] On a related note, one should never announce that one has won the lotto or another extravagant prize.[11]

Some individuals are in the habit of wearing a red string around their wrist in order to ward off the ayin hara. This is based on the kabbalistic teaching that the color red has the power to ward off the ayin hara.[12] The Debreciner Rav, Rabbi Moshe Stern, confirms the existence of a Jewish custom to make use of red strings for protection against the ayin hara. Interestingly, however, he specifically discusses tying it upon a baby carriage or crib for the benefit of a child, with no mention of any other custom, usage, or wearing of a red string.[13]

We are taught that descendants of Yosef are immune from the ayin hara, as are fish.[14] It was the ayin hara which caused Rava to suffer at the hands of Shvor Malka[15] and was the cause of death of Rav Pappa's parents.[16] One is to make an effort to protect the property and possessions of others from falling victim to the ayin hara.[17]  There exists a snake called the "Effeh" which has the ability to kill a person with its stare due to its deep association with the ayin hara.[18]

Though Chanania, Mishael and Azariah had survived being thrown into a fiery furnace, they later died as a result of the ayin hara.[19] Had Yosef not hurried to tell his brothers about his dreams they would have been fulfilled immediately.[20] It was due to the ayin hara that it took twenty-two years, instead. The purchase and dedication of a Sefer Torah is said to distance the ayin hara. [21] Among the reasons that we break a glass at a wedding is in order to expel the ayin hara from the celebration.[22]

The Talmud rules that it is forbidden to gaze at the produce growing in someone else's field lest one arouse the ayin hara and actually curse the produce.[23]  As the Chazon Ish explains, God created the world in a manner in which a person's thoughts have the power to bring damage upon that which one thinks about or focuses upon. This is especially true when a person focuses enviously upon the property of someone else.[24] In addition to the requirement to respect another person's privacy, it is also forbidden to monitor another person's activities for concerns related to the ayin hara.[25]In fact, one is even obligated to pay for any damage which may have been brought about due to one's extensive staring.[26] As such, one must never look intently upon other people, even when doing so poses no concern for invading their privacy.[27]

[1] Bereishit 16:5;Rashi

[2] Bereishit 42:5;Rashi

[3] Magen Avraham O.C. 156

[4] Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 15:3

[5] Shemot 30:11-16

[6] Shmuel 2:24

[7] Berachot 55b

[8] O.C. 141:6, Aruch Hashulchan 141:8

[9] Mishna Berura 141:19

[10] Yalkut Shimoni Bereishit 42:148, Kli Yakar;Bereishit 24:22, Rashi;Shemot 34:3

[11] Eruvin 64a

[12] Minhag Yisrael Torah Y.D. 179

[13] Be’er Moshe 8:36

[14] Berachot 20a

[15] Chagiga 5a

[16] Yevamot 106a

[17] Bava Metzia 30a

[18] Cited in Me'am Loez;Ki Tissa

[19] Sanhedrin 93a

[20] Cited in Me'am Loez;Ki Tissa

[21] Eruvin 64a

[22] Yabia Omer 4:9

[23] Bava Batra 2b, Bava Metzia 107a, C.M. 378:5

[24] Chazon Ish C.M. Likutim; Bava Batra 21

[25] C.M. 378:5, Rema C.M. 154:3

[26] Aruch Hashulchan C.M. 154:6

[27] Bava Batra 2b, Bava Metzia 107a