Hamsa And idolatry

[rivkah]

Can someone explain the history of the hamsa? What is its meaning today? It is such a common Jewish symbol but from my understanding it is demonic because it is supposed to ward off evil spirits like a pagan amulet. How can we use this to point to Messiah or at least bring the discussion to Him through this symbols because it is so common?
I was at a kosher restaurant and after eating I saw on the wall one of these symbols. I then thought about the passage regarding eating things dedicated to idols or demons. Is there any connection to this kind of a idolatress worship and this symbol? Why on earth would a Jewish person who say they believes in the one true G-d (though still without Messiah) feel the need to have such a "protection" against evil spirits? The whole proposition of a simple piece of metal having any affect on a demonic spirit is ridiculous and laughable.

[alon]

Dec 9, 2015 3:53:33 GMT -8 rivkah said:

Can someone explain the history of the hamsa? What is its meaning today? It is such a common Jewish symbol but from my understanding it is demonic because it is supposed to ward off evil spirits like a pagan amulet. How can we use this to point to Messiah or at least bring the discussion to Him through this symbols because it is so common?
I was at a kosher restaurant and after eating I saw on the wall one of these symbols. I then thought about the passage regarding eating things dedicated to idols or demons. Is there any connection to this kind of a idolatress worship and this symbol? Why on earth would a Jewish person who say they believes in the one true G-d (though still without Messiah) feel the need to have such a "protection" against evil spirits? The whole proposition of a simple piece of metal having any affect on a demonic spirit is ridiculous and laughable.

This is a difficult one. We often hear that this Jewish symbol or that one is pagan or idolatrous from anti-Semites. The Maghen Dovid is a popular one for this accusation. However you have hit on one that actually may be idolitrous. The Hamsa, or Hand of Miriam is mostly kabalistic, however is also somewhat popular among Sephardic Jews. It is said to represent the five books of . In Arabic it is known as the Khamsa and represents either the five pillars of Islam or the five people of the cloak. Since it is common to both Judaism and Islam it has come to be seen as  a Mideast peace symbol.

Always a feminine representation, the symbol can be traced back to a Phoenician goddess whose name I don't know. It was to them a sort of talisman to ward off harm and the evil eye. Some may see it like this today, but I don't know how common this belief is. I suspect it is more the Kabbalists and maybe some eastern European immigrants who might take this view.

In a kosher restaurant I doubt they prayed to the symbol or offered food to it, so you were ok to eat there. You didn't notice it until you were done, so no foul on going into a place that had a symbol with pagan origins. But this brings up the question about whether we should consider this as a pagan symbol and refrain from going into places which display it. I don't know, but I'd lean towards staying away. After all, we chastise the Christians for worshiping at Christmas and Easter, even though they say it is their intent that counts. This would seem to have the same taint about it.

I wouldn't advise making an issue of it with Jewish friends or acquaintances. We should probably follow the 1st cen custom of not addressing such issues outside our own sect. However we should bring this up with those claiming to be Messianic. Certainly I wouldn't wear it or display it, nor allow it in my home.

But to be clear, this is all my opinion based on limited knowledge. To really understand how Jews see this you'd have to talk with someone who has interacted with Jews over a wide spectrum of sects and locations. And it would take someone with more knowledge and authority than me to make halacha concerning it; and even then that would hold no authority for most who come here.

Dan C

edit: the only effect such an amulet would have on a demon would be to attract them. I do believe demons attach themselves to "things" such as this; and subsequently to the wearer.

[alon]

I asked Rav S, and he says it is pagan, but he treats it the same as people who display/wear a cross.

Dan C