Difference between revisions of "Dybbuk" - New World Encyclopedia
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In [[Kabbalah]] and [[Europe]]an [[Jewish folklore]], a '''dybbuk''' is a malicious [[spiritual possession|possessing]] [[spiritual being|spirit]], believed to be the dislocated [[soul]] of a dead person.<ref>[http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-9363281/dybbuk Dubbuk] at [http://concise.britannica.com concise.britannica.com]</ref> Dybbuks are said to have escaped from [[Gehenna]], a Hebrew term very loosely translated as "[[hell]]," or to have been turned away from Gehenna for transgressions too serious for the soul to be allowed there, such as [[suicide]]. The word "dybbuk" is derived from the [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] דיבוק, meaning "attachment"; the dybbuk attaches itself to the body of a living person and inhabits it. According to belief, a soul that has not been able to fulfill its function in its lifetime is given another opportunity to do so in the form of a dybbuk. It will leave once it has accomplished its goal, sometimes after being [[Exorcism#Exorcism in Judaism|helped]]. | In [[Kabbalah]] and [[Europe]]an [[Jewish folklore]], a '''dybbuk''' is a malicious [[spiritual possession|possessing]] [[spiritual being|spirit]], believed to be the dislocated [[soul]] of a dead person.<ref>[http://concise.britannica.com/ebc/article-9363281/dybbuk Dubbuk] at [http://concise.britannica.com concise.britannica.com]</ref> Dybbuks are said to have escaped from [[Gehenna]], a Hebrew term very loosely translated as "[[hell]]," or to have been turned away from Gehenna for transgressions too serious for the soul to be allowed there, such as [[suicide]]. The word "dybbuk" is derived from the [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] דיבוק, meaning "attachment"; the dybbuk attaches itself to the body of a living person and inhabits it. According to belief, a soul that has not been able to fulfill its function in its lifetime is given another opportunity to do so in the form of a dybbuk. It will leave once it has accomplished its goal, sometimes after being [[Exorcism#Exorcism in Judaism|helped]]. | ||
| + | ==Biblical background== | ||
| + | [[Image:David soothes saul.jpg|thumb|300px|David plays his harp for King Saul, causing the "evil spirit from the Lord" to leave him.]] | ||
| + | While evil spirits and exorcism are relatively rare in the [[Old Testament]], a famous instance of spirit possession is related in the story of King Saul, who was possessed by an "evil spirit form [[yahweh|the Lord]]" after losing God's support as king. According to 1 Samuel 16:23 "Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him." In the apocryphal [[Book of Tobit]], a beautiful bride name Sarah is plagued by a demon who has killed all seven or her husbands on her wedding night. She is finally liberated after the angel [[Raphael]] instructed Tobit (Tobias) to marry Sarah and drive away the demon by burning a fish's liver and heart. | ||
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| + | Jewish sources report of exorcisms being done in the first century C.E. by administering drugs with poisonous root extracts or by offering sacrifices. (Josephus, "B. J." vii. 6, § 3; Sanh. 65b). Exorcisms were also done at [[Qumran]] by the [[Essene]] branch of Judaism. [[Jesus]] of Nazareth was a powerful Jewish healer and exorcist, as evil spirits were believed to be the source of much illness. | ||
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==In Jewish folklore== | ==In Jewish folklore== | ||
While belief in evil spirits, possession, and exorcism goes back to ancient times, a widespread belief in dybbuks became evident especially in the sixteenth and seventeenth century. The kabbalist [[Isaac Luria]] (1534–72), helped popularize the work with his writings on the correlation between the physical and spiritual worlds and the cooperation of spiritual beings with humans on earth. Luria described this relationship as a method by which imperfect souls could cooperate with men on earth to attain spiritual perfection. However, other kabbalistic writers took the teaching to its logical conclusion with the idea of a dybbuk—an unenlightened or wandering soul—attaching itself to the body of a human being on earth. The word "dybbuk" is related to the the Hebrew term "to cleave" or "to cling." | While belief in evil spirits, possession, and exorcism goes back to ancient times, a widespread belief in dybbuks became evident especially in the sixteenth and seventeenth century. The kabbalist [[Isaac Luria]] (1534–72), helped popularize the work with his writings on the correlation between the physical and spiritual worlds and the cooperation of spiritual beings with humans on earth. Luria described this relationship as a method by which imperfect souls could cooperate with men on earth to attain spiritual perfection. However, other kabbalistic writers took the teaching to its logical conclusion with the idea of a dybbuk—an unenlightened or wandering soul—attaching itself to the body of a human being on earth. The word "dybbuk" is related to the the Hebrew term "to cleave" or "to cling." | ||
| − | and | + | In [[kabbalah|kabbalistic texts]] and [[Judaism|Jewish]] folklore, a [[dybbuk]] is believed to be the dislocated [[soul]] of a dead person returned from [[Gehenna]], the Hebrew term for the spiritual world below heaven. Occasionally, a soul that has not been able to fulfill its purpose on earth is given another opportunity to do so in the form of a dybbuk. Such a spirt seeks out a living person in a similar "life position" to itself during its lifetime and "attaches" itself to that person. |
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| − | + | Having a dybbuk is not always a bad or unhealthy thing. There are good dybbuks and bad one. A good dybbuk acts as a kind of "spiritual guide" there to help the person through their current trials and tribulations, while simultaneously accomplishing their own purpose and thus perfecting themselves. In the case of an evil dybbuk,however, the spirit peruses its own negative inclinations and causes its host to make the same mistakes and sins it committed during its own lifetime. | |
| − | + | The beneficial type of possession by a dybbuk is known as ''sod ha'ibbur,'' Hebrew for "mysterious impregnation." This kind of dybbuk is thought to have struggled and and gained victory over what the host himself has not yet been able to overcome. In this case the dybbuk is "lent" to the host from the spirit as a spirit guide or guardian angel. In such cases, the dybbuk does not need to be exorcised, but leaves the host once its mission is accomplished. However, the loss of the dybbuk can sometimes result in depression, as the host misses the energy and inspiration it formerly received. | |
| − | + | A dybbuk, especial of the evil sort, is thought to be drawn to a person who whose spirit and body are not fully connected to each other. Examples include severe depression, psychosis, or the use of mind-altering drugs. The dybbuk is particularly attracted to a person who is struggling with the same challenges it did. Thus, a good dybbuk who died in a moment of cowardice might return to help a soldier overcome his fear, while a bad dybbuk who died alone and resentful might return to a person in a similar circumstance and make her life more miserable that ever. | |
| − | + | A particularly powerful miracle-working rabbi known as a ''baʿal shem'' (master of the name) could expel even the most evil dybbuk through a rite of exorcism. However, exorcism of a dybbuk today normally normally involves nine Jews plus the rabbi. The group surrounds the possessed victim and repeatedly recites [[Psalm 91]]. The rabbi proceeds to blow a [[shofar]] (ram's horn trumpet) in a specific pattern. This "shocks" both the possessed person and the dybuuk, causing a loosening between the two which enables each entity to be addressed separately. The rabbi then enters in to dialog with the dybbuk to discover its purpose. The group then proceeds to heal it through dialog and prayer, and this is also done for a person who is possessed. | |
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 21:58, 6 November 2008
In Kabbalah and European Jewish folklore, a dybbuk is a malicious possessing spirit, believed to be the dislocated soul of a dead person.[1] Dybbuks are said to have escaped from Gehenna, a Hebrew term very loosely translated as "hell," or to have been turned away from Gehenna for transgressions too serious for the soul to be allowed there, such as suicide. The word "dybbuk" is derived from the Hebrew דיבוק, meaning "attachment"; the dybbuk attaches itself to the body of a living person and inhabits it. According to belief, a soul that has not been able to fulfill its function in its lifetime is given another opportunity to do so in the form of a dybbuk. It will leave once it has accomplished its goal, sometimes after being helped.
Biblical background
While evil spirits and exorcism are relatively rare in the Old Testament, a famous instance of spirit possession is related in the story of King Saul, who was possessed by an "evil spirit form the Lord" after losing God's support as king. According to 1 Samuel 16:23 "Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him." In the apocryphal Book of Tobit, a beautiful bride name Sarah is plagued by a demon who has killed all seven or her husbands on her wedding night. She is finally liberated after the angel Raphael instructed Tobit (Tobias) to marry Sarah and drive away the demon by burning a fish's liver and heart.
Jewish sources report of exorcisms being done in the first century C.E. by administering drugs with poisonous root extracts or by offering sacrifices. (Josephus, "B. J." vii. 6, § 3; Sanh. 65b). Exorcisms were also done at Qumran by the Essene branch of Judaism. Jesus of Nazareth was a powerful Jewish healer and exorcist, as evil spirits were believed to be the source of much illness.
In Jewish folklore
While belief in evil spirits, possession, and exorcism goes back to ancient times, a widespread belief in dybbuks became evident especially in the sixteenth and seventeenth century. The kabbalist Isaac Luria (1534–72), helped popularize the work with his writings on the correlation between the physical and spiritual worlds and the cooperation of spiritual beings with humans on earth. Luria described this relationship as a method by which imperfect souls could cooperate with men on earth to attain spiritual perfection. However, other kabbalistic writers took the teaching to its logical conclusion with the idea of a dybbuk—an unenlightened or wandering soul—attaching itself to the body of a human being on earth. The word "dybbuk" is related to the the Hebrew term "to cleave" or "to cling."
In kabbalistic texts and Jewish folklore, a dybbuk is believed to be the dislocated soul of a dead person returned from Gehenna, the Hebrew term for the spiritual world below heaven. Occasionally, a soul that has not been able to fulfill its purpose on earth is given another opportunity to do so in the form of a dybbuk. Such a spirt seeks out a living person in a similar "life position" to itself during its lifetime and "attaches" itself to that person.
Having a dybbuk is not always a bad or unhealthy thing. There are good dybbuks and bad one. A good dybbuk acts as a kind of "spiritual guide" there to help the person through their current trials and tribulations, while simultaneously accomplishing their own purpose and thus perfecting themselves. In the case of an evil dybbuk,however, the spirit peruses its own negative inclinations and causes its host to make the same mistakes and sins it committed during its own lifetime.
The beneficial type of possession by a dybbuk is known as sod ha'ibbur, Hebrew for "mysterious impregnation." This kind of dybbuk is thought to have struggled and and gained victory over what the host himself has not yet been able to overcome. In this case the dybbuk is "lent" to the host from the spirit as a spirit guide or guardian angel. In such cases, the dybbuk does not need to be exorcised, but leaves the host once its mission is accomplished. However, the loss of the dybbuk can sometimes result in depression, as the host misses the energy and inspiration it formerly received.
A dybbuk, especial of the evil sort, is thought to be drawn to a person who whose spirit and body are not fully connected to each other. Examples include severe depression, psychosis, or the use of mind-altering drugs. The dybbuk is particularly attracted to a person who is struggling with the same challenges it did. Thus, a good dybbuk who died in a moment of cowardice might return to help a soldier overcome his fear, while a bad dybbuk who died alone and resentful might return to a person in a similar circumstance and make her life more miserable that ever.
A particularly powerful miracle-working rabbi known as a baʿal shem (master of the name) could expel even the most evil dybbuk through a rite of exorcism. However, exorcism of a dybbuk today normally normally involves nine Jews plus the rabbi. The group surrounds the possessed victim and repeatedly recites Psalm 91. The rabbi proceeds to blow a shofar (ram's horn trumpet) in a specific pattern. This "shocks" both the possessed person and the dybuuk, causing a loosening between the two which enables each entity to be addressed separately. The rabbi then enters in to dialog with the dybbuk to discover its purpose. The group then proceeds to heal it through dialog and prayer, and this is also done for a person who is possessed.
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See also
- Jewish mythology
- Kabbalah
- Ibbur
- Gilgul neshamot
- Qliphoth
- The Dybbuk (a play by S. Ansky, and later adaptations):
- a 1937 film directed by Michał Waszyński
- Dybbuk, a ballet by Leonard Bernstein
- A Dybbuk, adaptation by Tony Kushner
- Song by Gackt Camui
- An all-female Czech rock group
External links
Credits
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