Jewitches

Episoder

• 
  Christmas Trees Aren’t Pagan 18.12.2025 1t 27min

  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 and we will call it the Christmas tree!”But none of this is true.In this episode, your host Zohare Jacobi of Jewitches goes through all the holidays the tree is supposedly stolen from - Yule, Saturnalia, Sol Invictus -- and even the Yule Log -- to dig into the origins of this myth and the true origin of the tree.You can find the citations here.You can follow our work on Instagram @jewitches as well as most social medias!
• 
  Ancestors & Prayers 17.10.2025 20min

  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 07.08.2025 26min

  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. Despite the constant usage of crucifixes to ward them off, Jews have our own folklore surrounding the creatures that now fall beneath the term vampire. Jews also have a curiously long history with garlic. But what ties all three together? 
• 
  They Lied to You About Kabbalah 13.06.2025 26min

  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? 28.03.2025 20min

  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 14.03.2025 21min

  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? 15.12.2024 14min

  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 jewitches.com/subscribe
• 
  The Magic of Jewish Women & The Misogyny We Face 21.11.2024 18min

  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 topic through a heart to heart conversation on her own experiences and the experiences of others within her community.
• 
  Christian Zionism 101 24.10.2023 21min

  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 material for this topic.  Instagram: @jewitches Article: https://jewitches.com/blogs/blog/christian-zionism-101 Citations: Sturm, Tristan. “God’s just Gaza War: Futurity foreclosed through evangelical apocalypse as orthogonal promise of Eretz Israel.” Geografiska Annaler: Series B, Human Geography, vol. 103, no. 4, 2021, pp. 301–319, https://doi.org/10.1080/04353684.2021.1891557. “A Land without a People for a People without a Land” By Diana Muir  https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rapture-the https://cufi.org/about/mission/  https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2021/05/11/the-size-of-the-u-s-jewish-population/  https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/06/30/mainstreaming-christian-zionism-could-warp-foreign-policy/  https://religionmediacentre.org.uk/factsheets/factsheet-christian-zionism/  https://apnews.com/article/christian-zionists-israel-republican-presidential-candidates-97a5bd9359a9af724fb55cfb154007ef  https://cufi.org/issue/mike-pence-to-cufi-i-support-israel-because-i-am-a-christian/  http://www.meforum.org/1877/a-land-without-a-people-for-a-people-without  https://fozmuseum.com/blog/bolsonaro-receives-award/  https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2021/5/26/biden-palestine-and-the-buttressing-of-christian-zionism  https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/08/22/trump-sees-all-us-jews-israelis-because-his-christian-zionist-allies-do-too/  https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2021/05/11/u-s-jews-political-views/#:~:text=Overall%2C%20about%20seven%2Din%2D,or%20lean%20toward%20the%20GOP.  https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-doubles-down-calling-jewish-democrats-disloyal-israel-n1044861
• 
  Garlic Magic 15.08.2023 20min

  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 protective talisman and a potent ward against malevolent forces in Jewish folklore. Through a casual textual analysis of traditional Jewish texts, we explore the symbolism and rituals where garlic's mystical essence has been harnessed to ward off evil spirits and bring blessings. But the allure of garlic doesn't end with its mystical aspects. We also delve into its profound medicinal value as recognized in ancient Jewish remedies. From the Talmud to Kabbalistic writings, garlic's therapeutic properties have been lauded for centuries. Our exploration takes us through historical accounts of its use as a natural remedy for various ailments, offering insights into the wisdom passed down through generations. Whether you're a history aficionado, a believer in the mystical, or simply intrigued by the healing power of nature's gifts, this episode of Jewitches is sure to leave you spellbound, enlightened, and inspired to explore the captivating world of garlic within Jewish traditions.
• 
  Unraveling the Evil Eye in Judaism 30.05.2023 25min

  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! 1 The Power of the Evil Eye and the Good Eye in Midrashic Literature 2 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/166909/jewish/What-Is-the-Meaning-of-the-Evil-Eye.htm https://www-jstor-org.ez.lib.jjay.cuny.edu/stable/1260090?seq=4#metadata_info_tab_contents 3 4 Jewish Magic and Superstition: Joshua Trachtenberg 5 Divination, Magic, and Healing: The Book of Jewish Folklore by Rabbi Ronald H. Isaacs 6 Ritual Medical Lore of Sephardic Women 7 Dazzling Blue: Color Symbolism, Kabbalistic Myth, and the Evil Eye in Judaism
• 
  Debunking Myths about Ostara with A Hearth Witch 04.05.2023 2t 20min

  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 discussion, we have invited a special guest, A Hearth Witch, who is a German-American folk practitioner and scholar specializing in the study and practice of German Folk practices. You can find their work at their Patreon (https://patreon.com/ahearthwitch), TikTok (tiktok.com/ahearthwitch), Instagram (instagram.com/a.hearth.witch), and YouTube (youtube.com/ahearthwitch). Citations:  Modern Pagan Festivals: A Study in the Nature of Tradition Author(s): Ronald Hutton Source: Folklore, Vol. 119, No. 3 (December 2008), pp. 251-273 Published by: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. on behalf of Folklore Enterprises, Ltd. Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/40646468 Pagan Goddesses In The Early Germanic World: Eostre, Hreda and the Cult of Matrons; Philip A Shaw https://www.patheos.com/blogs/aidankelly/2017/05/naming-ostara-litha-mabon/ https://sittingbetweentworivers.wordpress.com/2016/03/15/a-brief-history-of-ostara/#f11 https://www.patheos.com/blogs/panmankey/2018/04/why-we-believe-in-untrue-things/ https://dbpedia.org/page/Ostara_(magazine) https://ia904701.us.archive.org/0/items/UnknownOstara152ndSeries/Ostara_01.pdf https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/no-easter-wasnt-named-after-a-mesopotamian-goddess/ https://www3.nd.edu/~pantsakl/Archive/dateofeaster.pdf Newall, Venetia. An Egg at Easter: A Folklore Study. Routlege & Paul, 1984.  Bede’s a Reckoning on Time Jacob Grimm, Teutonic Mythology Wolzogen, Wegweiser zu deutschern Galubern, 16, 29. ISTOR, page 786: https://www.jstor.org/stable/43965085?seq=27
• 
  Giant Frogs & Magical Matzah... All About Passover 03.04.2023 39min

  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. Make sure to rate, review & subscribe wherever you're listening! Instagram @jewitches & @shopjewitches Tumblr & Twitter @thejewitches Support the Podcast BuyMeACoffee jewitches KoFi jewitches Sources: chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1172862/jewish/The-Feather-the-Spoon-and-the-Candle.htm chabad.org/multimedia/video_cdo/aid/4357661/jewish/The-Kabbalah-of-Pesach.htm The Jewish Holidays: a guide and commentary by Michael Strassfeld chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/1742/jewish/What-Is-Chametz.htm myjewishlearning.com/article/miriams-cup/ myjewishlearning.com/2017/03/29/ruths-cup-a-new-passover-ritual-honoring-jewish-diversity/ chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/870652/jewish/Why-scatter-10-pieces-of-bread.htm myjewishlearning.com/article/an-orange-on-the-seder-plate/ myjewishlearning.com/article/10-passover-customs-from-around-the-world/ /dorimidnight.com/uncategorized/garlic-on-the-seder-plate-haggadah-supplement/ jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-afikoman Jewish Magic and Superstition: A Study in Folk Religion by Joshua Trachtenberg https://www.haggadot.com/haggadah/freedom-seder-earth-0 https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/daughter-of-pharaoh-midrash-and-aggadah https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/zipporah-midrash-and-aggadah Above the Zodiac: Astrology in Jewish Though https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/an-orange-on-the-seder-plate/ https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/10-passover-customs-from-around-the-world/ https://dorimidnight.com/uncategorized/garlic-on-the-seder-plate-haggadah-supplement/ https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-afikoman Jewish Magic and Superstition: A Study in Folk Religion by Joshua Trachtenberg https://www.haggadot.com/haggadah/freedom-seder-earth-0 https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/daughter-of-pharaoh-midrash-and-aggadah https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/zipporah-midrash-and-aggadah Above the Zodiac: Astrology in Jewish Thought
• 
  Blowing Out Candles 09.03.2023 5min

  Do you blow out your birthday candles? You may not know that Judaism has special traditions about blowing out candles...Learn all about why! Make sure to rate, review & subscribe wherever you're listening! Patreon | Instagram | Tumblr | Shop Instagram  Support the Podcast BuyMeACoffee KoFi
• 
  Crystals, Gems, & Precious Stones in Judaism 24.02.2023 31min

  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! Instagram | Tumblr | Shop Instagram Support the Podcast BuyMeACoffee KoFi Sources: https://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/3965005/jewish/Twelve-Precious-Jewels.htm https://www.jhom.com/topics/stones/gems.html Jewish Magic Before the Rise of Kabbalah, Yuval Harari Jewish Magic and Superstition; Joshua Trachtenberg https://www.sefaria.org/Pirkei_DeRabbi_Eliezer.10.8?lang=en https://www.oxfordchabad.org/templates/blog/post.asp?aid=708481&PostID=107902&p=1#_ftnref6 A Time To Be Born: Customs and Folklore of Jewish Birth by Michele Klein https://yivoencyclopedia.org/article.aspx/dress Nottingham Medieval Studies LIII (2009). Coral, Silk and Bones. Jewish Artisans and Merchants in Barcelona between 1348 and 1391 A Frog Under the Tongue: Jewish Folk Medicine in Eastern Europe, Marek Tuszewicki The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic, and Mysticism, Rabbi Geoffrey W. Dennis https://www.sefaria.org/Rabbeinu_Bahya%2C_Shemot.28.15.4?lang=bi
• 
  Jews and Garlic 31.01.2023 9min

  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! Make sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review. Patreon.com/jewitches instagram.com/jewitches twitter.com/thejewitches jewitches.com https://www.jewitches.com/post/herbs-judaism Sefaria A brief history of Jews and Garlic, Jordan D. Rosenblum A Frog Under the Tongue: Jewish Folk Medicine in Eastern Europe by Mark Tuszewicki https://aish.com/garlic-and-jews-6-little-known-jewish-facts/
• 
  The Months of the Jewish Year 16.01.2023 29min

  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/article_cdo/aid/2863908/jewish/9-Things-Every-Jew-Should-Know-About-the-Month-of-Adar.htm https://www.aish.com/jl/hol/hm/48960721.html https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3749660/jewish/10-Facts-to-Know-About-the-Month-of-Av.htm https://www.atthewellproject.com/blog//spiritual-elements-of-av https://www.ou.org/holidays/cheshvan/ https://www.google.com/search?q=month+of+shevat&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS917US917&oq=month+of+shevat&aqs=chrome.0.0l4.1588j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_calendar
• 
  The Book of Shadows 19.12.2022 9min

  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 13.12.2022 30min

  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. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/23256305. Accessed 10 Aug. 2022. The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic, and Mysticism, by Rabbi Geoffrey W. Dennis A Gathering of Angels: Angels in Jewish Life and Literature; Morris B. Margolies https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/angels/ https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.3.24?ven=The_Contemporary_Torah,_Jewish_Publication_Society,_2006&lang=bi&with=Commentary&lang2=en https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/angels-and-angelology-2 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/678751/jewish/Do-Jews-Believe-in-Guardian-Angels.htm https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jewish-bedtime-prayers Ascending Jacob's Ladder: Jewish Views of Angels, Demons, and Evil Spirits. Rabbi Ronald H. Isaacs https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3825092/jewish/What-Are-Archangels.htm#footnote2a3825092 https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/692875/jewish/What-Are-Angels.htm https://www.betemunah.org/angels.html https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-seraphim
• 
  Jewish Toilet Demons 29.11.2022 9min

  Our very first mini-episode! Make sure to rate & subscribe, wherever you listen! Make sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review. Patreon.com/jewitches instagram.com/jewitches twitter.com/thejewitches thejewitches.tumblr.com jewitches.com