Supernatural

A charm

While demons appear in a few episodes in the Hebrew Bible, they are more prominent in talmudic and kabbalistic literature. Jewish texts tell stories of demons, analyze their nature, discuss how to avoid them, and explain how fear of demons shapes some Jewish practices.

Jewish folklore includes stories of the supernatural – demons, figures who defy death, otherworldly creatures – and parables, homilies, and mystical ideas. These tales are used to teach, preserve culture, and impart wisdom. Although magic is a significant element of Jewish folklore, more mundane customs and stories impart values and provide role models for desired behavior.

Gentile practices related to idolatry or magic.

Angels – often understood as messengers of God or supernatural beings – appear widely throughout Tanakh, rabbinic literature, kabbalistic literature, and Jewish liturgy. In the Torah, they often convey messages, like when an angel informs Hagar that she will give birth to a son, or when an angel tells Abraham not to sacrifice Isaac. In the books of the Prophets, angels are also featured as part of visions and prophecies. Later Jewish texts expand on the nature of angels, describing the roles and attributes of specific angels and how the belief in angels shapes certain Jewish practices.

A type of bird.