Western culture is full of superstitions, from Friday the 13th to black cats. Yet these fearful customs have no place in Judaism. In fact, the Torah warns us against believing in lucky numbers, superstitious sign and listening to diviners. We are commanded to put our faith in God instead (Deuteronomy 18:9-13).
Here is the background to some common superstitions, along with Jewish views about items that many of us have been conditioned to fear.
Friday the 13th
The Torah cautions “you shall not believe in lucky times” (Leviticus 19:26). Yet many people continue to view Friday the 13th as a scary day on the calendar. That’s because Friday the 13th combines two western superstitions: the belief that Friday is an unlucky day and a fear of the number 13. Belief that 13 is an unlucky number is so widespread that some buildings in the U.S. don’t contain a 13th floor, with numbers skipping from 12 to 14. There’s even a medical condition called Triskaidekaphobia, meaning an irrational fear of the number 13.
These fears can be traced to Christian beliefs. Jesus is thought to have been crucified by the Roman authorities who ruled Judea in his time on a Friday, and he is thought to have been turned into the Romans by his 12th follower (who joined him for dinner the night before his death, becoming the 13th guest at a feast.) Both Friday and the number 13 began to be seen as sinister for these reasons.
In Judaism, both Friday and the number 13 have very positive connotations. Each Friday, Jews around the world joyfully welcome Shabbat. And there are 13 Attributes of Mercy of God that He revealed to Moses that Jews for millennia have used as a prayer for Divine compassion. Far from being unlucky, in Judaism the number 13 reminds us of God’s infinite mercy.
Throwing salt over your shoulder
This old fashioned superstition believes that spilling salt is bad luck – and that if you do, throwing some salt over your left shoulder will ward off misfortune. In the Middle Ages, salt was extremely rare and expensive, and spilling it was seen as a great loss. Linking spilled salt with bad luck also might date to early Christian tradition which saw spilled salt as an evil omen.
In contrast, salt has positive connotations in Judaism. Salt was a fixture in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem; this tradition continues today when we place salt on our Shabbat tables and sprinkle some over our challah before eating bread. Salt is preserver, and dipping bread into salt signifies elevating the physical and channeling it to a spiritual end, transforming the transient material world into something eternal. The Jewish people are also compared to salt: like salt, the Jewish people never grow stale, but endure forever. So feel free to pour that salt.
Black cats
The superstition that it’s unlucky if a black cat crosses your path likely has its origins in Medieval Europe: it was thought that cats and other animals assisted witches in casting their spells. Black cats in particular evoked the terrors of night-time and so were thought to portend bad luck.
In Judaism, cats – whatever their color – have positive associations that we can learn from. King David noted that cats pursue their goals without letting up: anyone watching a cat chase a mouse until it catches it will understand what the great king of Israel meant (Perek Shira). Jewish sage Rabbi Yochanan observed that cats, which are so neat and fastidious, are an example of modesty to which we should aspire (Talmud Eruvin 100b).
Breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck
In western culture breaking a mirror is said to bring seven years of bad luck. Some superstitious people believe this can be averted by burying the broken mirror shards by the light of a full moon. This superstition seems to date back to Roman times when it was widely thought that a part of one’s soul was trapped in a mirror’s reflection. Breaking the mirror was akin to breaking one’s soul.
This belief flies in the face of Jewish thought, which views our souls as perfect and complete, and in no way able to be trapped in a mirror or broken.
Far from being objects of fear, mirrors have been powerful vehicles to do good in Jewish life. When we were slaves in Egypt, many Jews despaired. Yet Jewish women demonstrated their steadfast faith by using their mirrors to make themselves beautiful and attract their husbands’ attention to ensure the continuity of the Jewish nation (Midrash Tanhuma). These mirrors were later used for a holy purpose in the Tabernacle; the copper laver was made out of them.
Knock on wood
The common practice of knocking on wood when we don’t want something bad to happen dates back to pagan times in Europe when it was thought that spirits inhabited trees. Knocking on wood was thought to make sure the spirits wouldn’t harm us.
Judaism, with its powerful testament to the existence of one all-powerful God, certainly doesn’t believe in tree spirits.
Evil Eye
While Jews don’t knock on wood when in order to avert bad luck, some Jews do say bli ayin hara, meaning that we shouldn’t be harmed by the “evil eye”. Some Middle Eastern cultures have their own rituals to ward off the evil eye (wearing red amulets, sporting a picture of a blue eye, spitting three times, wearing a hamsa, or picture of a hand), in Judaism the “evil eye” is commonly understood to be not some mysterious evil force, but the jealousy that can be aroused if we flaunt our good fortune.
Thinking about the “evil eye” – the envy we might arouse in others – can serve as a powerful reminder to not take blessings for granted. By saying bli ayin hara we’re re-centering ourselves, remembering to be humble and grateful and to keep in mind that others might not be so lucky.
Don’t walk under a ladder
There are many theories about the origins of the superstition that it’s bad luck to walk under a ladder. Some historians point out that ladders look like gallows. Some ancient people even believed that the spirits of those executed on gallows lingered at the base. This superstition is prohibited in Judaism, but carefully walking around a ladder in order to not disturb a busy workman or to avoid running the risk of falling paint or tools may be a prudent thing to do.
Rabbit’s foot
The belief that a rabbit’s foot brings good luck likely dates back to the ancient Celts who thought that rabbits – who spend much of their time burrowing underground – could communicate with spirits in the netherworld. The custom of carrying a lucky rabbit’s foot arose in the 19th century; some historians speculate that believers were influenced by the custom of some African slaves to make talismans out of animal parts.
The idea that an object can bring luck is completely foreign to Judaism. Central to Judaism is the idea is that God runs the world and that it is up to us to make the most of the opportunities we have to fulfill our unique goals. Prayer and Jewish rituals are tools to help us achieve our goals, but not because they contain any magical powers, but because they help train us to access and appreciate the spiritual side of the world.
There is nothing to fear about scary dates like Friday the 13th, and also nothing to be gained by carrying lucky charms. Perhaps the best way of summing up Judaism’s views of superstitions came from Jewish film producer Samuel Goldwyn who quipped, “The harder I work, the luckier I get!”
(13) Baruch, August 6, 2020 5:02 AM
Evil Eye
Your explanation of the evil eye in Judaism is rather apologetic. Ask any layman and you"ll see that they relate to the evil eye in a superstitious manner. The Talmud is full of it as well. We pray against it every morning. Today there are even thrifty businesses based on "extinguishing" the evil eye; they advertise extensively in ultra orthodox venues.
Thank you.
(12) Debbie, November 2, 2018 3:19 AM
Not walking under a ladder is a Jewish idea.
At a shiur on Teshuva this year, before Rosh Hashana the Rabbi taught that there are 3 occasions where Hashem might judge us. I was surprised that one of these was when you walk under a ladder. The reasoning along the lines of "Are you worthy of a miracle when you put yourself at risk?"
(11) MESA, November 1, 2018 2:02 PM
I love this article, but you left out one thing. Jewish boys become bar-mitzvah at age 13. That's something joyous and special.
(10) Anonymous, October 31, 2018 4:12 PM
Great article
Thank you for taking the time to bring out the history behind these superstitions and set the record straight. Bottom line is if you believe and trust Hashem being the Almighty, and keep His mitzvot, then His protection will be with you, no matter what crosses your path in life.
(9) Batya, October 31, 2018 2:50 PM
Questions about some "Jewish ein-haras"
Thank you for the article. I am hoping you can address some, to my understandings, Jewish based ones (which inconvenient my life). My grandmother always said that you can't sew or cut nails on a Motzi Shabbos, because you only do it for a dead person at the Taharah. I understand the concept of Melava Malka, and not doing work, but it is something I enjoy. I would love to crochet and sew Saturday night, it's my hobby and that is when I have the downtime. (As opposed to all the Shabbos dishes- which to me is unpleasant work). Second, I was taught that beds, the head needs to be facing away from the door and the feet toward the door, as a person who passes is taken out of the room head first. Do I need to arrange furniture as such? Also, my mother in law, states you cannot drink water left out overnight, because of Shadim. Not debating the grossness and bacteria, but it that true? Sometimes you leave a cup by the bed to drink during the night. Thank you
(8) fred chong, October 31, 2018 2:42 AM
Meditate only the word of God as Psalmists do. Selah.
(7) Mac, October 30, 2018 10:14 PM
I agree superstious ideas are ill logical.
Not truth and ignorant ideas that have been passed down by and to uneducated people. The cycle has been passed to myself. It is my decision to break it. Difficult to break phycologically instilled ritualistic behaviours unless one is intelligable enough to question TRUTH. Reminding one self that is is not of your own reasonability, ony some idea passed from usually a respected elder.
(6) Anonymous, October 30, 2018 9:51 PM
Another reason our cat is so awesome
On a more serious note, seeing how a lot of these superstitions arose from Christianity, I'm more confident that breaking from that and embracing a Noahide path was the right decision.
Secondly, it's another reason we love our cat, who happens to be black! It's a privilege to be able to provide her a home.
(5) Wendy, October 30, 2018 5:37 PM
Thank you
On this very sad week as we attend vigils to remember the eleven massacred and pray for the recovery of the injured in Pittsburg and harden our shul security, it was nice to read an article both educational and light-hearted.
(4) Jerrold Keilson, October 30, 2018 4:41 PM
addition to the knock on wood supersitition
I learned that knocking on wood was specifically a Christian-derived superstition, that it was symbolic of touching the cross, which supposedly was good luck. I don't know if that is true, and it also is true that Christianity adopted many pagan beliefs, but wanted to share.
(3) Joshua, October 29, 2018 3:04 PM
Spilling salt?
What about spilling salt (toss a pinch of the spill backward over shoulder)?
(2) Anonymous, October 29, 2018 1:59 PM
Knocking on Wood
Another source of this superstition goes back to the time of the Crusades and even earlier. Pieces of wood, that were supposedly from the "true cross"were sold to people throughout Europe either by returning Crusaders or by charlatans. Those buying the wood would wear it on a chain around their necks which would hang over their hearts. When it was important they would tap the piece of wood hanging over their heart.
(1) Anonymous, October 29, 2018 1:24 PM
Christianity & Judaism
Thanks for showing that Christiantiy teaches these superstitions, like Friday the 13th and the black cats, and that these superstitions are deeply rooted and taught in the New Testament. Christian Theology is full of superstition