Jewitches
Jewitches is a podcast exploring Jewish witchcraft, mysticism, folklore, and magical practice. Each episode takes a deep dive into topics at the intersection of magic and Jewish tradition, examining both historical sources and contemporary practice. The show is hosted by the team behind Jewitches.com and is aimed at listeners curious about Jewish esoteric and folk magic traditions. Episodes cover subjects such as amulets, angels and demons, folk remedies, and the role of women in Jewish mysticism. Listeners can follow the show on Instagram and Twitter at @jewitches and subscribe via jewitches.com.
Episodes
Christmas Trees Aren’t Pagan
You’ve probably heard the rumor - maybe you’ve even spread it yourself - Christmas trees are pagan.This is how it usually goes: when the Christians came to Europe, they wanted to convert pagans to Christianity, so they made a conscious choice to take pagan symbols, like a decorated tree for Yule or Saturnalia or Sol Invictus or Hilaria (it changes on who you ask) and said, “This is Christian now a
Ancestors & Prayers
It's the New Year which means people are setting goals and resolutions...One common one in my DM's? Prayer. But there's a barrier when people don't feel comfortable praying. Today, we're breaking down the concept of personal prayer and the role of ancestors in it.
Vampires, Jews, and Garlic
In the shadows of history and folklore, a mesmerizing tapestry exists that weaves together Jewish traditions, spine-chilling tales of blood-sucking creatures, and the curious connection to one seemingly ordinary kitchen staple - garlic.Vampires, of course, are now culturally commonplace, lighting up the silver screen, and gracing the cover of everything from romance novels to horror stories. Despi
They Lied to You About Kabbalah
They told you that you shouldn't study Kabbalah until you're forty...But I'm here to break this down because the lack of nuance (and general Christian-hegemonic paradigms we carry with us) means that we interpret this in strange ways.. Have a topic you want me to cover? Leave a comment over on our instagram @jewitchesCome visit our shop, Diasporic Magic, in Los Angeles!
So, What's Up With Closed Practices?
Have you ever heard the term "closed practice"? In this episode of Jewitches, Zohare Jacobi explores the origins and rise in popularity of this term and how we define it. Unpack what it means for a practice to be considered "closed," who gets to define it, and why this conversation is so important in today’s world of spiritual exploration.jewitches.cominstagram.com/jewitches
Let's Talk About Purim
Purim is one of my favorite holidays...So let's chat all about it! This is a casual sit down episode with discussions surrounding the spirituality of Purim, our requirements of giving, and much more!Find the Jewitches podcast:instagram @jewitchestwitter @thejewitchesand subscribe at jewitches.com/subscribe
Why do I use the word Witch?
You've been asking since my first day posting about Jewish magic & witchcraft...This episode is casual -- an ode to conversations around the Shabbat candles and the hearths of old. Learn why I use the term witch, when I use it, and why this might sound a bit different than previous episodes you've heard...
Find the Jewitches podcast:instagram @jewitchesthreads @jewitches
and subscribe at jewi
The Magic of Jewish Women & The Misogyny We Face
The more wives, the more witchcraft - and yet, we are constantly scrutinized and demeaned by men within our communities. Jewish women are responsible for building the practices and traditions that we have today; and yet, Jewish women face the brunt of the ire from both within and outside of the community. Why is that?
In the first episode of our new season, Zohare Jacobi of Jewitches tackles this
Christian Zionism 101
This podcast is the audio version of an infographic created for Instagram, with minor tweaks to formatting. It is meant to serve as a jumping off point for research, as one post can only hold so much. We encourage you to check out the citations. There was so much that simply couldn’t be covered in such a short post; not to mention a breadth of research that feels like it should be must read materi
Garlic Magic
Embark on a captivating journey with us on our latest episode, where we dive deep into the enchanting realm where garlic, magic, medicine, and Jewish heritage intertwine. Unveil the hidden layers of significance that garlic holds in both ancient Jewish texts and modern-day practices.
Intrigued by the magical properties attributed to garlic? We uncover how this humble bulb has been regarded as a pr
Unraveling the Evil Eye in Judaism
Get ready to dive into the captivating world of the evil eye within Jewish culture in our newest episode. We unpack the secrets, tales, and traditions surrounding this mystical phenomenon with protective practices and beliefs rooted in Jewish folklore. We spill the beans on amulets, rituals, and powerful symbols like the Hamsa and fish! So grab your favorite drink, sit back, and listen and learn!
Debunking Myths about Ostara with A Hearth Witch
In today’s long-awaited episode, we will be debunking common myths and misconceptions about Ostara! We separate fact from fiction and explore the true origins of the holiday, going back to the 725 with the monk Bede. We discuss everything from the significance of eggs and rabbits in Christian mythology to why Easter is definitely not stolen from the Goddess Ishtar.
To help us with this discussio
Giant Frogs & Magical Matzah... All About Passover
Let's explore the traditions and customs of Passover, our first ever episode dedicated to just one Jewish holiday! Join us as we retell the Pesach story as you may have never heard it before, delve into the history, rituals, and modern-day celebrations of this magical holiday....Giant frog and magical matzah amulets included.
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Blowing Out Candles
Do you blow out your birthday candles? You may not know that Judaism has special traditions about blowing out candles...Learn all about why!
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Crystals, Gems, & Precious Stones in Judaism
For those seeking spirituality, crystals have become almost synonymous with mystical wisdom, but almost exclusively through New Age lenses. It is therefore not surprising that so many are shocked by the presence of wisdom surrounding stones in Judaism, but it has existed here since before the time of the Exodus.
Make sure to rate, review & subscribe wherever you're listening!
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Jews and Garlic
Did you know that Jews LOVE garlic? Like...Love garlic? So much that there are antisemitic caricatures of Jews holding them? All that and more in this weeks mini-episode!
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Patreon.com/jewitches
instagram.com/jewitches
twitter.com/thejewitches
jewitches.com
https://www.jewitches.com/post/herbs-judaism
Sefaria
A brief histor
The Months of the Jewish Year
So why does it seem like Jewish holidays keep moving around? How many birthdays do Jews get? How many New Years do Jews have (spoiler it is more than 3!)
All that & more in our newest episode!
Sources:
For qualities, elements, astrology & angels: The Sefer Yetzirah
Above the Zodiac, Matityahu Glazerson
https://www.aish.com/jl/hol/hm/48924027.html
https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim
The Book of Shadows
Let's learn about the book of Shadows...Where did that name come from? Why do people use it?
Citations:
Doreen Valiente's The Rebirth of Witchcraft(1989)
http://iapsop.com/archive/materials/occult_observer/occult_observer_v1_n3_1949.pdf
Angels in Judaism
Angels: we can't get enough of them. Learn all about angels in Judaism as we discuss all the basics for the last big episode of the year!
https://etzion.org.il/en/philosophy/great-thinkers/ramban/vayera-angels-and-prophecy
Henoch, C. J. "THE RELIGIOUS THOUGHT OF NACHMANIDES — FROM HIS EXEGESIS OF THE MITZVOT." Tradition: A Journal of Orthodox Jewish Thought, vol. 11, no. 1, 1970, pp. 64–83. JST
Jewish Toilet Demons
Our very first mini-episode! Make sure to rate & subscribe, wherever you listen!
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Herbs & Judaism
Lavender for sleep. Rosemary for clarity. Rose for love. Those are the basics, according to the Internet. But there is so much more to herbalism, and the use of herbs, especially in the Jewish tradition. Today we're discussing the use of herbs and plants within Judaism.
Make sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review.
Patreon.com/jewitches
instagram.com/jewitches
Lesser Known Jewish Creatures
Dragons, mermaids, vampires...Those are old news! Let's talk about the lesser known Jewish creatures of the Mud Mice, Vegetable Men, and the Tree Geese...All of which sound as fantastical as they are!
Make sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review.
Patreon.com/jewitches
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jewitches.com
Sacred Monsters: Mysterious and
The Magic of Dreams with Rabbi Jill Hammer
As long as we have been dreaming, we have been wondering what they could mean. Today we dive into dream divination, interpretation, and dream work with incredible guest, Rabbi Jill Hammer, PHD. Co-founder of the Kohenet Hebrew Priestess Institute and the Director of Spiritual Education at the Academy for Jewish Religion, her most recent books are Undertorah: An Earth-Based Kabbalah of Dreams and R
There's More Than One Way to Make A Golem
Arguably the most popular of all Jewish folk creatures, today we're discussing all things Golem. From depictions in media like Supernatural to whether or not you could eat a Golem, we take a dive into its history and modern occurences.
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jewitches
The Modern Resurgence of Tichels
Tichels (Yiddish) or mitpachat (Hebrew) are Jewish terms for headscarves. You may have grown up with your mother, aunts, grandmothers, cousins, family, etc, wearing them. Or you may not have known there is a history of Jews covering their hair with headscarves. But there is a modern resurgence, and it isn't just amongst the married women of Orthodox communities. Jews of all communities, nationalit
Jewish Divination - An Introductory Primer
From reading livers (yes) to doing divination with our fingernails during Havdallah, we're all about divination this week, plus, why your grandpa might tell you it's forbidden.
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instagram.com/jewitches
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jewitches.com
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/divination
Candles in Jewish Magic
Come on, who doesn't love candles? This week we start with the important discussions we forgot in last weeks episode...Can dragons light Shabbat candles and are mermaids kosher? Once we finish up that fascinating discussion, we move on to what candles are and a few ways that we can use them in Judaism!
Make sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review.
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Dragons and Mermaids in Judaism
It's like George and the Dragon meets H2o Just Add Water. We talk all things Jewish Dragons, Mermaids, and more...Including whether or not humans can reproduce with mermaids....according to the Sages of old.
Make sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review.
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twitter.com/thejewitches
jewitches.com
Sources:
https://www.sefaria
Twilight with Kenzie (Re-Upload)
Hello friends! Some very kind listeners let me know that the last episode was extremely quiet---that's what I get for editing with headphones on! I've reuploaded with louder audio, but have kept the original up in case folks don't mind that one. This is the first time recording with two people at once in the same space (as opposed to over zoom, etc), so thank you for all the kind messages!
This w
Twilight with Kenzie
This week, you get a very special nonsense episode featuring my best friend, Kenzie! We recorded this on Halloween...but it is live now! We talk all things Twilight, our friendship, and generally have a good time!
All proceeds made from ads during this episode will be donated to Move to Higher Ground: "Our mission is to secure the future of the Quileute tribe by moving the at-risk community to the
The Afterlife: a Jewish Guide to Life After Death
Let's talk about the afterlife...Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, Reincarnation, Ressurection that rolls your body through underground tunnels?
This week, let's dive into our last episode in a mini-series all about death in Judaism.
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https://ww
The Physicality of Death and Mourning
This week, let's dive into the second episode in a mini-series all about death in Judaism.
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sdjewishworld.com/2012/06/29/the-meaning-of-tachrichim/
rohatynjewishheritage.org/en/culture/death-burial-mourning/
surface.syr.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1022&context=rel
jewish-funerals.org/understanding-jewish-practices/jewish-end-of-life-practices/
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Let's Talk About Death
🎵 let's talk about death, baby 🎵
I was once told that researching Judaism is like the ocean--there is always more, particularly when it comes to death and dying. Death is a universal experience--one of the things that connect all people around the world. It is natural that each and every culture develops its own unique perception and practices in response to death.
This week, let's dive int
Blood Libel
This week, we cover the immensely frightening topic of blood libel. In our longest episode yet, we cover the origins of blood libel, famous cases, a short timeline, and how blood libel may appear in the modern-day.
Trigger warning for the episode as it will contain discussions of murder, violence, assault, cannibalism, infanticide, torture, mass shootings, and ritualistic killings. I will no
Can You Even Be a Jewish Witch?
In this episode, we dive into the entire world of what is witchcraft, what are witches, how can you even be a jewish witch, what Judaism thinks about witchcraft, and why you might not have known about Jewish magic and witchcraft in the first place.
Unlike my other episodes, this is a combination of 3 blog posts available to read on Jewitches.com
make sure to click follow & leave a review on Ap
Witch History: Jews and the Witchcraze
We've all heard the saying, "We are the daughters of the witches they couldn't burn", but what if we actually looked at who those witches were? In this episode, we explore the impact of antisemitism on the witchcraze and how Jews as a whole suffered through the persecution of so-called witches.
you can find a breakdown of the episode on jewitches.com under a blog of the same title.
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Debunking the Dybbuk Box
In 2003, a listing appeared on eBay for a box haunted by a dybbuk. With the Hebrew word Shema inscribed on the back, the lister, Kevin Mannis, wove an intricate story of a Jewish Holocaust survivor and a demon trapped in a wine box.
The Internet flew into a rage, fascinated and sickened by the idea of a box so terrible, and dybbuk boxes came to life. This is the first mention of a dybbuk box in hi
A Brief Introduction
Welcome to the Jewitches podcast! Make sure to subscribe and submit any requests for episodes ♡
