What is Ayin Harah and Should We Be Concerned?

What exactly is “Ayin Harah” and do we have to worry about it? (A subscriber’s question)

Most people think that an Ayin Harah is an “Evil Eye” which can cause them harm. This is incorrect. If this were the case, it would be called “Ayin Ra’ah.” Since the word ayin is feminine, the correct adjective should be ra’ah. Rather, Ayin Harah means “a negative and hostile focus” (Sefer Olei Ayin p.29 quoting Rabbeinu Yonah on Ovos 2:11 and Machzor Vitri) or “the eye of an evil person” (ibid p.28 quoting Encyclopedia Otzar Yisroel Vol. 8 p. 58).

Chazal teach us that an evil person has the capacity to cause physical damage through his evil gaze. Throughout Tanach, Bavli, Yerushalmi, Midrashim, Shulchan Aruch, Rishonim and Achronim we find many examples of Ayin Harah (Sefer Olei Ayin p. 16 – 85).

If a person is not overly concerned about an Ayin Harah, his chances of being negatively affected in any substantial manner are diminished (Sefer Olei Ayin p. 14 based on Pisochim 110B and Torah Temima Bemidbar 23:23).

In the next Halacha Yomis a relevant halacha in Shulchan Aruch based on an Ayin Harah is discussed.

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.