The Concept of ›Ruach Ra‘ah‹ in Contemporary Rabbinic Responsa (1945–2000): Possible Relations between Knowledge of the Physical World and Traditional Knowledge in Rabbinic Judaism

Leon Mock, Brian Heffernan. (Translator)

    Research output: Book/ReportBookScientific

    Abstract

    This study focuses on the responsa (Question and Answer) literature after the Second World War until the present. The notion of the Ruach Ra'ah ('evil spirit') is strongly connected to the ritual of washing the hands in the morning after rising, washing hands after a meal, in connection with sexual relations, touching parts of the body that are usually covered, washing hands after using a toilet, shaving hair on the head, nail clippings and visiting a graveyard. The washing of hands is supposed to be necessary to ward off the bad influences of the Evil Spirit. This ritual handwashing can be understood best in between mysticism, gender studies, magic and embodied religion.
    Original languageEnglish
    Place of PublicationBerlin
    PublisherWalter de Gruyter
    Number of pages402
    Edition1
    ISBN (Electronic)9783110699883
    ISBN (Print)9783110699784
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Oct 2021

    Publication series

    NameStudia Judaica: Forschungen zur Wissenschaft des Judentums
    PublisherThe Gruyter
    Volume112

    Keywords

    • General Jewish History Jewish History Jewish Life Jewish Studies Jewish Studies Judaism Modern Times Modern Times Theology and Religion Kabbalah Magic Religious Antropology

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