HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

In
Jewish mythology Jewish mythology is the body of myths associated with Judaism. Elements of Jewish mythology have had a profound influence on Christian mythology and on Islamic mythology, as well as on Abrahamic culture in general. Christian mythology directly ...
, a (; , from the
Hebrew Hebrew (; ''ʿÎbrit'') is a Northwest Semitic languages, Northwest Semitic language within the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family. A regional dialect of the Canaanite languages, it was natively spoken by the Israelites and ...
verb , meaning 'adhere' or 'cling') is a malicious possessing spirit believed to be the dislocated
soul The soul is the purported Mind–body dualism, immaterial aspect or essence of a Outline of life forms, living being. It is typically believed to be Immortality, immortal and to exist apart from the material world. The three main theories that ...
of a dead person. It supposedly leaves the host body once it has accomplished its goal, sometimes after being exorcised.


Etymology

comes from the Hebrew word , meaning 'a case of attachment', which is a nominal form derived from the verb 'to adhere' or 'cling'.


History

The term first appears in a number of 16th-century writings.''Spirit Possession in Judaism: Cases and Contexts from the Middle Ages to the Present, by Matt Goldish'', p. 41, Wayne State University Press, 2003
/ref> However, it was ignored by mainstream scholarship until S. An-sky's 1920 play '' The Dybbuk'' popularised the concept in literary circles. Earlier accounts of possession, such as that given by
Josephus Flavius Josephus (; , ; ), born Yosef ben Mattityahu (), was a Roman–Jewish historian and military leader. Best known for writing '' The Jewish War'', he was born in Jerusalem—then part of the Roman province of Judea—to a father of pr ...
, were of demonic possession rather than that of ghosts.''Tree of Souls:The Mythology of Judaism'', by Howard Schwartz, pp. 229–230, Oxford University Press, 2004
/ref> These accounts advocated
orthodoxy Orthodoxy () is adherence to a purported "correct" or otherwise mainstream- or classically-accepted creed, especially in religion. Orthodoxy within Christianity refers to acceptance of the doctrines defined by various creeds and ecumenical co ...
among the populace as a preventative measure. 's 1937 film '' The Dybbuk'', based on the Yiddish play by S. An-sky, is considered one of the classics of Yiddish filmmaking.
Rabbi A rabbi (; ) is a spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi—known as ''semikha''—following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form of t ...
Yoel Teitelbaum, the Satmar rebbe (1887–1979), is reported to have supposedly advised an individual said to be possessed to consult a
psychiatrist A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are physicians who evaluate patients to determine whether their symptoms are the result of a physical illness, a combination of physical and mental ailments or strictly ...
. Traditionally, dybbuks tended to be male spirits. According to Hayyim ben Joseph Vital, women could not become dybbuks because their souls did not participate in '' gilgul''. Sometimes these spirits were said to possess women on the eve of their weddings, typically in a sexual fashion by entering the women through their vaginas, which is seen in An-sky's play. However, men and boys could be possessed as well. In psychological literature, the has been described as a hysterical syndrome.


Expulsion

In traditional Jewish communities, the concept of the dybbuk served as a socially acceptable way of expressing unacceptable urges, including sexual ones. Within Jewish mysticism and folklore, particularly in Kabbalistic traditions, protective practices were also used to ward off these malevolent spirits. One such practice involves affixing a
mezuzah A ''mezuzah'' ( "doorpost"; plural: ''mezuzot'') is a piece of parchment inscribed with specific Hebrew language, Hebrew verses from the Torah, which Jews affix in a small case to the doorposts of their homes. These verses are the Biblical pa ...
—a piece of
parchment Parchment is a writing material made from specially prepared Tanning (leather), untanned skins of animals—primarily sheep, calves and goats. It has been used as a writing medium in West Asia and Europe for more than two millennia. By AD 400 ...
inscribed with specific Torah verses—to the doorposts of a home. While the mezuzah primarily serves as a reminder of faith and adherence to God's commandments, it is also viewed as a protective amulet against harmful spirits, including dybbuks. The '' Zohar'', a foundational Kabbalistic text, suggests that a properly affixed mezuzah can prevent such entities from entering a home. Additionally, Jewish folklore includes accounts where neglected or improperly maintained mezuzot were believed to make homes susceptible to dybbuk possession. These perspectives emphasize the mezuzah's dual role in Jewish life: as both a symbol of faith and a spiritual safeguard.


See also

* box *
Golem A golem ( ; ) is an animated Anthropomorphism, anthropomorphic being in Jewish folklore, which is created entirely from inanimate matter, usually clay or mud. The most famous golem narrative involves Judah Loew ben Bezalel, the late 16th-century ...
*
Kabbalah Kabbalah or Qabalah ( ; , ; ) is an esoteric method, discipline and school of thought in Jewish mysticism. It forms the foundation of Mysticism, mystical religious interpretations within Judaism. A traditional Kabbalist is called a Mekubbal ...
* '' Shedim'' * Zombie


References


Further reading

* * * * *


External links


"The Dybbuk" by Ansky
''Jewish Heritage Online Magazine''
"Dybbuk – Spiritual Possession and Jewish Folklore"
by Jeff Belanger, Ghostvillage.com
"Dybbuk"
''
Encyclopædia Britannica The is a general knowledge, general-knowledge English-language encyclopaedia. It has been published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. since 1768, although the company has changed ownership seven times. The 2010 version of the 15th edition, ...
''
''Dibbuk'' short film teaser
{{Authority control Ghosts Jewish folklore Jewish legendary creatures Jewish mysticism Supernatural legends Yiddish words and phrases Yiddish-language folklore Spirit possession Souls