Wearing a thin red string (as a type of
talisman) is a custom, popularly thought to be
associated with Judaism's Kabbalah, in order to ward
off misfortune brought about by an "evil eye" (עין הרע
in Hebrew). In Yiddish the red string is called a
roite bindele.
The red string itself is usually made from thin red
wool thread. It is worn, or tied, as a type of
bracelet or "band" on the left wrist of the wearer
(the receiving side).
Traditional Jewish beliefs
Some red string is brought from Israel. Sometimes, the
string has been wound in large quantities around the
tomb of the Hebrew Biblical matriarch Rachel, near
Bethlehem. It is considered to have great powers of
"good fortune" and grant added divine protection to
those who wear it. Most rabbis though do not encourage
the practice of this "segulah".
On the Ohr Somayach, Jerusalem yeshiva site, the "ask
the rabbi" column says:
...There is no written mention in the Torah, Halachah
or Kabbalah about tying a red string around the wrist.
However, it seems to be a custom that has been around
for some time, and may be based on Torah or
Kabbalistic ideas. If there is any validity to the
custom, it would be considered a segulah or protective
type of act...There are sources for such special
properties of seguloth. The Torah states, "The Lord
your God has chosen you to be His Am Segulah
(treasured people) out of all the peoples upon the
face of the earth" (Deut. 7:6). Why are the Jewish
people called G-d's segulah? Rabbi Chaim of Voloshzin
says it's on account of the Torah and mitzvoth that
have a miraculous effect on them, enabling their
prayers to be answered in a special way. In fact, the
mitzvoth themselves are protective: Charity protects
from natural death, sanctifying the new moon protects
from unnatural death, the succah protects from exile,
and so on.
Therefore a custom that is based on Torah ideas or
mitzvoth may also have special segula properties on a
smaller scale. Regarding the red string, the custom is
to tie a long red thread around the burial site of
Rachel, the wife of Jacob. Rachel selflessly agreed
that her sister marry Jacob first, in order to spare
Leah shame and embarrassment. Later, Rachel willingly
returned her soul to G-d on the lonely way to Beit
Lechem, in order to pray there for the desperate Jews
that would pass by on their way to exile and
captivity. Often, one acquires the red string when
giving charity.
Perhaps for these reasons the red thread is considered
a protective segula. It recalls the great merit of our
matriarch Rachel, reminding us to emulate her modest
ways of consideration, compassion, and selflessness
for the benefit of others, while simultaneously giving
charity to the poor and needy. It follows that this
internal reflection that inspires good deeds, more
than the string itself, would protect one from evil
and harm.
Similarly, Rabbi Ahron Lopiansky writes more
critically on the Aish HaTorah site, pointing to the
ambiguous origin and controversial nature of using the
red string even among the ancient rabbis:
Firstly, there is absolutely no genuine kabbalistic
source for wearing a red thread around one's wrist to
ward off the "evil eye." While there exists such a
practice amongst some devout Jews, it is not mentioned
in any kabbalistic work. Yes, there is a fleeting
mention in the Talmud about the practice of tying a
bundle of herbs or gems and wearing them in order to
ward off the "evil eye." No special color, nor Rachel,
nor even thread are mentioned. Also, the comment is an
offhand remark concerning laws of Sabbath observance.
One of the late great scholars, the Debreczyner Rav,
mentions it as a practice he saw in his father's home,
but his extensive search could not find a written
source for the practice.
The good news is that there is a clear and early
source that mentions tying a red string to ward off an
"evil eye" and that is in the Tosefta, an early
Talmudic work (Shabbat, ch. 7-8). The bad news is that
it clearly states that tying a red string around
oneself is severely prohibited. It is characterized as
"Darchei Emori," a worthless, superstitious practice,
close to idol-worship.
Some Orthodox Jews who worry about the negative powers
of the "evil eye" may have an old tradition to tie a
small red-colored string near the bed of a baby in
hopes of invoking God's mercy, and that no ill-harm
should befall the child.
Modern Times
There was a contemporary resurgence of the red string
in the 1980's post-Intifada period in Israel, perhaps
best understood as a type of folklore created under
conditions of personal and national anxiety and
stress.
In the late 1990's the red string became popular with
many celebrities in the United States, including many
non-Jews.
This resurgence is often linked to Philip Berg's
controversial Kabbalah Centre.
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