The Dichotomy of the Evil Eye Bracelet

As a traditional piece of kabbalah jewelry, the evil eye bracelet been worn to deflect negativity. Lately, the red string kabbalah bracelet has adopted a modern connotation: jewish jewelry that attracts good luck. Where jewish jewelry is concerned, the perceptions of the evil eye and the lucky or good, eye have evolved over time. The lucky eye symbolized the unselfish gaze and the evil eye epitomized the selfish stare. It has been said many times that the eyes are the reflection of the soul. Hence, the lucky eye ascends from benevolence and the evil eye from envy and greed. It is from this perspective that Moses defines the man whose eye is evil toward his brother (Deuteronomy 28:54), and the Proverbs describe the lucky eye and the evil eye in 22:9and 23:6. These precise and candid turns of phrase also appear frequently in Tractate Aboththe Writings of the Mishnah. Later, the souls internal condition was also believed to put forth external energies as well, in that focusing the lucky eye upon someone could bring that person many blessings, while training the evil eye upon an unfortunate individual had to potential to create mayhem. This contemplation led people to seek blessing from the good eye (ayin hatov), and, in kind but with a greater sense of urgency people sought protection against the evil eye (ayin harah) by means of the evil eye bracelet. Remarkably, the antidote for getting the evil eye was not to acquire the good eye as one might think, but rather, the circumvention of provoking jealousy or lust in others. The eye is a familiar symbol in kabbalah jewelry, but this is not as openly established in kabbalah, because it does not possess the power of true eye contact; the related luck is oftentimes misconstrued as random chance rather than cosmic order. Further, it is often misinterpreted as combatting the evil eye of another rather than transferring ones own attitude unto others. It follows then, that it is unclear as to whether the good eye or evil eye should be enlisted in the battle. As its initial line of defense, the red string kabbalah bracelet repels the evil eye and encourages the good eye by the inherent process of projecting an unpretentious and humble spirit. Obviously, the kabbalah bracelets string should not be embellished with eyecatching frills and ornaments; nor should ostentatious dress or conspicuous behavior be engaged while wearing the red string bracelet Further and most importantly, the bracelets string is a tangible reminder of ones duty to assert only the good eye. With a bit of practice and mindfulness, one is able to gauge when a reaction, either jealousy or joy, fixes the eyes toward the evil or good gaze. As one harks back to the necessity for simplicity and unselfishness, one gets in the habit of asserting only the good eye, which is almost a greater guarantee that one will be the receptor of the good eye in return, than one would receive otherwise by employing only the passive, humble display. Jealousy is the greatest of all evils, and the one which arouses the least pity in the person who causes it.Francois La Rochefoucauld