The concept of the “Evil Eye,” discussed in Gary Rosenblatt’s column, “The Power And Pitfalls of Superstation” (May 16) is not a bubbe meise ITAL but founded in Biblical sources. For example, in parsha Vayechi (Bereishit /Genesis
48:16), Jacob bestows upon his grandsons Ephraim and Menassah the blessing: “May they proliferate abundantly like fish within the land.”
Rashi explains that fish, because they live calmly, unseen by man, are not affected by the evil eye (Talmud Berachot 20a).
The Talmud further explains that Joseph earned this blessing of
immunity against the evil eye because he averted his own eyes from the advances of Potiphar’s wife.
The writer is national president of the National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education.
The New York Jewish Week brings you the stories behind the headlines, keeping you connected to Jewish life in New York. Help sustain the reporting you trust by donating today.
