Luck be a lady tonight TB Pesakhim 111

 For humanity the pre-modern world was even a scarier and more dangerous place than for us. The Jews in Babylonia felt that they were surrounded by evil forces eager to cause harm and in the worst case scenario kill the unsuspecting person. The rabbis in today’s daf TB Pesakhim 111 were on a first name basis of some of these demons. “The Gemara comments: The demons near the caper-bush are called ruḥei. A demon found near the sorb trees is called shida. The demons found on roofs are called rishfei. The Gemara asks: What is the practical difference of these definitions? It makes a difference for writing an amulet on behalf of one who has been harmed. It is necessary to know the name of the demon who caused the damage.” (Sefaria.org translation) Thank goodness we don’t believe in such superstitions, knock on wood or as my wife would say “poo poo poo.”

 The Gemara describes many different dangerous situations because of either demons or witches and their remedies. “The Gemara continues to discuss this issue. The Sages taught: Three objects should not be allowed to pass between two people walking along a road, and people should not walk between two of them: A dog, a palm tree, and a woman. And some say: Also a pig. And some say: Also a snake. All of these were associated with witchcraft. The Gemara asks: And if they pass between them, what is the remedy to prevent one from harm? Rav Pappa said: He should begin reciting a verse that starts with the word God and conclude with a verse that ends with the word God. In other words, he should recite the passage: “God Who brought them out of Egypt is for them like the lofty horns of the wild ox. For there is no enchantment with Jacob, nor is there any divination with Israel; now is it said of Jacob and of Israel: What has been performed by God” (Numbers 23:22–23). This verse indicates that spells do not affect the Jewish people.” (Sefaria.org translation) I learned from anthropologist Mary Douglas’ book Purity and Danger that premodern people didn’t necessarily believe that reciting a verse counteracted a spell and actually protected them. By reciting this verse from the story how Billam, the non-Israelite prophet who was hired to curse the Jewish people and failed miserably because he could only bless them, reminds the reciter that sorcery has no power over him and he can continue on his way assured of his safety.

Our rabbis understood the role of luck in our lives by the following story. “The Gemara relates: Abaye was coming and walking along the street. And Rav Pappa was walking on his right and Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, was on his left. Abaye saw a certain ketev meriri coming on his left side and he switched Rav Pappa to his left and Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, to his right. Rav Pappa said to Abaye: And I, what is different that you were not concerned about any possible harm to me? Abaye said to him: The time is in your favor. You are wealthy and fortunate, and therefore I believe that you will most likely not be harmed by the demon.” (Sefaria.org translation)

Even if you don’t believe in demons or witches, everybody and everything[1] needs a little bit of luck. Remember the play Guys and Dolls? We can always pray that luck will smile upon us, just like Sky Masterson when he sang, “Luck be a lady tonight[2].”

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[1] The Jewish mystical work the Zohar states that “everything depends on mazal, even a Torah scroll in the synagogue.”

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmEwtWBte84