An heathen said to R

Midrash Aggadah Exempla of the Rabbis, No. 33

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 2, 2025

An heathen said to R. Johanan b. Zakkai: “The ceremonies of the red heifer look like witchcraft/' He replied: “What are you doing against demoniac possession?’’— “Herbs and fumigation drive the demon away/' He then added, “if these are efficacious for the evil spirits the others are still more so for driving away the demon of impurity/' To his pupils he said: “It is a divine statute, moreover the ashes of the heifer atone for the sin of the calf (golden cow)/'

Themes

Demons Repentance Spirits Magic & the Supernatural Supernatural

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