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Evils Spirits & Ghosts
Question
Does Judaism believe in ’evil spirits’ and ghosts? And if so, is there a way to protect homes from their influence/presence (in addition to affixing mezuzot)?
Answer
Shalom,
Judaism believes in one and only one G-d, who created and encompasses every thing, and nothing runs without His knowledge and decision. He created one creation that has free autonomous will (unless G-d decides to intervene) and that is man. There are many drives and ideals in His world, many messengers (in Hebrew: mal’ach, commonly translated as :angel) or forces, but they are not autonomous and have no free will, only man. Similarly we find in the Talmud (eg. Brachot 55b): “shedim”, which also has sometimes been translated as “spirits”, but in effect, just like electricity, this is referring to a certain created force which has no autonomous power and no free will, but is totally subservient to Hashem. That’s why we don’t pray to angels or good or evil spirits, only to G-d (see Resp. Chatam Sofer, Or. Ch. 166). By the way, the Rambam (Hil. Mezuza, 6’ 13) stresses that mezuzot are a commandment of G-d, and that’s how it protects us, and definitely not a “charm”, chalila,. He writes that the tfilin, tzitzit and mezuza are “malachim” which protect us by reminding us to be good and do mitzvot, and that’s what protects us. Judaism is about ideals, doing good and being G-dly, not about ghosts and spirits, who even if they exist, are irrelevant compared to G-d and man himself, who “run the show”, destinating our fate, and completing the world and Israel.
With Love of Israel,
Rav Ari Shvat

Bracha on instant oatmeal
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Kislev 15, 5769

times-morning prayers
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Kislev 11, 5771

Tzizit
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Elul 11, 5783

Food Taken into a Toilet Room
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Av 26, 5768

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

Yericho conquest by Yehoshua
Tevet 28, 5771

How to manage to not listen Loshon Hara?
Adar I 23, 5771

A Day is a thousand years
Adar I 23, 5771

Ayin hara and Rambam
Tevet 28, 5771

Hallel no minyan
Various Rabbis | 1 Adar 5767

No sukkah at home
Rabbi David Sperling | Tishrei 7, 5775

Hallel no minyan
Various Rabbis | 1 Adar 5767
Genesis 24: 2-9 – Put your hand under my thigh
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Tevet 26, 5770
Blessings and Bnei Noach
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Tishrei 4, 5784
hagomel in Yom kipur
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Tishrei 9, 5784

Original Passover Meal
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Tishrei 3, 5784
