Ayin Hara

The question of Ayin Hara, the evil eye, is a perfect example of a case where it is overly simplistic to dismiss as nonsense. Too much has been written in commentaries on the Torah, and Talmud, and traditional works until today, that would force our intellectual honesty, to give it a serious look.

Some opinions say that עין הרע only has strength if one gives it power. Others say that it is not possible for the eyes to have the ability to do harm. And still others attribute this to foolish superstitions.

All of these opinions are just too simplistic. There are too many instances where it is clear that one’s jealousy and envy of another person has the potential to do harm. There are even cases in the Gemara about the need to build a partition between fields so that one neighbor will not damage the other with his Ayin Hara.

On the other hand, people take the עין הרע to ridiculous extremes. It is difficult to accept that amulets or red threads can ward off Ayin Hara. It is also foolishness to blame every failure or disappointment on עין הרע.

We must look for some intermediary common ground in dealing with this subject as well. Nothing is simple, but we must continue to search for what is right in Hashem’s eyes. Sefirat Haomer: Yesterday was seven.