Jewish Folk-Customs and Superstitions Quiz

Answer: Both answers are correct

In the Jewish system of numerology, called "gematreia", every letter of the Hebrew alphabet corresponds to a number - "aleph" equals one, "bet" equals two, etc. Using this systems, the number eighteen corresponds to the word for "life". The number eighteen has thus become a lucky number in Jewish tradition, and many people give monetary gifts or donations in multiples of eighteen. Additionally, there is an old Jewish legend of thirty-six righteous men (lamed-vav in Hebrew) who are unknown to the general public, but whose good deeds preserve the world from destruction. So, as you can see, there are two good reasons for my thirty-sixth quiz to deal with Jewish customs and superstitions!

Answer: It is exclusively a Jewish superstition.

Belief in the "evil eye" can be found in many cultures, including Turkish and Sicilian, in addition to Jewish culture. Complimenting another person on his good fortune by, for instance, praising his children, can invite the "evil eye". A person can bring the "evil eye" on his or herself by bragging of his good luck. Conversely, discussing the possibility of disaster, illness, etc., can result in the "evil eye".

Many formulas are used to avoid the evil eye, one of the most common is to say "kein ahora", which roughly translated means "without the evil eye". Generations ago our foremothers would spit three times, but since this is no longer possible in polite society, many people simply say "pfew, pfew, pfew" instead. You might have trouble finding educated Jews in modern society who will admit to believing in the "evil eye", but you will find a great number of people who would not say "My kids are all in good health and doing great in school", without adding "kein ahora", even if they say it quietly under their breath!

Answer: Hold a baby shower before the baby's birth

Pregnant women are in especial danger of inviting the "evil eye". Consequently, many Jewish women don't tell anyone but their closest relatives they are pregnant until after the first trimester. Making preparations for the baby's arrival, such as purchasing equipment or choosing a name, also invite the "evil eye".

In Israel, where many non-Jewish customs and celebrations have been adopted by parts of the population, baby showers are still unknown. Stores that sell baby equipment allow the future parents to order cribs, carriages, etc., but deliver it only after the baby's birth. If you answered "buying a cemetery plot", then you chose a seemingly logical answer.

But for some paradoxical reason, purchasing a plot while still alive is considered an omen for long life! (No one said that superstitions are logical!)

Answer: In case of fire, line up and leave the room in single file!

As a teacher mindful of inviting the "evil eye" into your classroom, you would make your announcement in the following way - "In case, Heaven Forbid!, there were to be a fire in the classroom, line up and leave the room in single file."

Answer: They hit each other with green onions

The Passover seder meal usually starts late in the evening, and it might be difficult for small children to stay awake in order to hear the whole story of the Exodus from Egypt. Different communities have created a myriad of customs to keep kids interested. Afghani and Persian Jews strike one another lightly with green onions while singing "Dayenu" (It would have been sufficient), which comes about midway through the seder.

This peculiar behavior certainly keep the children curious about what is going on at the table!

Answer: It is wound around Rachel's tomb

The red string is another amulet intended to ward off the "evil eye". Traditionally, a long piece of string is wound around the tomb of the matriarch Rachel, on the road to Bethlehem, and then sections were cut off in order to be worn around the wrist. There is a long Jewish tradition of placing notes in the Western Wall, not string!

Answer: Sewing clothing while someone is wearing it

A dead person's shroud is sewn while on the body. As a result, sewing a garment while wearing it has become synonymous with death and bad luck. Seeing a rainbow is a good sign and requires a blessing. Since a glass is broken at weddings, breaking a glass has a connotation of good luck and is likely to be met with a hearty "mazel tov!"(congratulations!), even if it was broken accidentally.

There is no Jewish superstition regarding walking under a ladder, although it is probably not a safe thing to do!

Answer: To donate to charity at the end of the trip

Since the traveler intends to make a donation to charity at the end of his journey, it is as if he has undertaken the trip for a sacred cause, meriting him or her the protection of Heaven.

Answer: candy

When the bar mitzva boy is called to read from the Torah, they are pelted with candy from the women's gallery, usually led by the boy's own mother! The "candy shower" is usually accompanied by a kind of ululation. Children scamper around the synagogue, in order to retrieve as much candy as possible. Some Ashkenazic synagogues have recently adopted this custom.

Answer: Kiss it

Holy books, such as bibles, prayer books or talmuds, are treated with great respect. If one accidentally falls on the floor, the person who dropped it will pick it up and kiss it. Once books fall into disrepair and are no longer usable, they are buried in a special container in the cemetery. If, Heaven forbid, a handwritten Torah is dropped, the person who dropped it must fast for forty days. If there are forty people in the congregation where the accident occurred, each must fast for a day. Jewish children everywhere hear about the "forty day fast law" at an early age, and a surprisingly large number of people are aware of this rather obscure law.

However, no one I have met has ever seen a Torah scroll dropped, or knows someone who has seen such an unfortunate accident.