Participants eagerly search Torah commentary as they follow along with Rabbi Kaye in locating the origins of superstition.
We are thrilled that our former colleague and now dear friend Rabbi Leora Kaye agreed to come to CRS this summer to a deliver lecture series entitled Beyond the Red String: Golems, Dybbuks, & the Superstitions We Believe.
After being welcomed back to CRS by Rabbi Greg Weitzman for this first of four lecture and discussion sessions, Rabbi Kaye opened the evening by directing the class to the story of creation in Parsha Bereishit. She pointed out the repetition of the account of creation that occurs in Genesis 1:26-28 and 2:7-2:20 and commentaries noting that these two accounts which differ slightly in wording while referring to the creation of Humanity, have been interpreted by some as indication of a woman existing before Eve; Lilith.
The tale of Lilith has developed into what some commentators would note as the very first of the supernatural realm to appear in the Torah (though certainly not the last). After this first taste of the demonic tales rooted in our Jewish tradition, discussion opened to what we know of superstitions.
Participants shared superstitions such as the tying of a red ribbon under a baby’s carriage, spitting three times to “avoid the evil eye”, salt over the shoulder and more. From there Rabbi Kaye directed the class into a discussion of why we need these superstitions and supernatural tales in the first place and where faith and superstition diverge.
It was a thought provoking evening, with many attendees still in deep discussion with each other as they headed out into the night.
This was the first out of four lectures—the next three are guaranteed to thrill! Please join us next Tuesday, July 26th at 7:00 PM. RSVP to adulted@crsnyc.org
