What is a Dybbuk: Mystical Encounters and Spiritual Cleansing

Understanding Ibbur

Ibbur refers to the temporary inhabitation of a virtuous soul within a person to strengthen them in fulfilling good deeds or a specific mitzvah. Typically, this occurs for a set period to promote spiritual growth.

Virtuous souls, often called 'universal souls', represent distinct spiritual forces in the world that were embodied by those individuals. Abraham stands for loving-kindness, Isaac for strength, and Moses for the wisdom of Torah. When a person strives to perform a mitzvah linked to these attributes, Hashem may send the soul representing that force to aid them, experiencing an ibbur. When an individual excessively fosters the traits of a virtuous soul, they may earn the right to draw upon that spiritual energy, thus experiencing this soul's 'Ibbur' into their own.

Another explanation suggests that an Ibbur temporarily influences a person spiritually, like a 'passing through', aiding without permanent residence, hence called an 'Ibbur'.

What is a Dybbuk?

A Dybbuk is a restless spirit, tormented by malign angels, seeking refuge within a living body. Documented tales in Jewish history recount incidences where Dybbuks tormented hosts until expelled by the prayers and rituals of pious rabbis.

Dybbuks can cause symptoms like aggression, both external and self-directed, convulsions, facial distortions, speaking in foreign tongues, uttering curses, and showing disdain for religious or communal values.

A Dybbuk testified about the Vilna Gaon:
"His eating was akin to offering sacrifices."

In the preface to "Midrash Rutes Hadash" with commentary by the revered Rabbi Elijah of Vilna, Rabbi Abraham Simcha of Amstislav shares a remarkable story heard from his uncle, Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin.

The story goes: One day, a Dybbuk possessed a man in Vilna, and a great crowd gathered at the synagogue courtyard to witness the event. The Vilna Gaon, studying in his room whose window overlooked the courtyard, opened it to investigate the commotion.

Upon seeing the Gaon's face through the window, the Dybbuk exclaimed: "Rabbi! They warn about you from above: 'Beware of Elijah and his Torah! If you command me merely with your word (without invoking the sacred names), I must obey and exit."

The Gaon replied: "I have never desired to involve myself with you, and even now, I choose not to speak with you at all!" Rabbi Avraham Simcha recounts that knowledge of the Gaon's words spread perhaps through the ranks of evil, for some time later, another incident occurred. A spirit possessed a young member of the Novardok community, reciting profound and terrifying messages. When threatened with being taken to the pious Elijah in Vilna, the Dybbuk admitted fear of him, acknowledging that despite his assurances, the Gaon would indeed have power over it.

The Dybbuk was asked why they feared the Vilna Gaon, noting that he doesn't fast punitively, only eating routinely each day.

It replied: "His eating causes us harm as it is as potent as sacrificial offerings."

Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Farber shares the story of the Dybbuk of Novardok:

"Our elder told of the Dybbuk possessing a person in Novardok during the Gaon's era. On seeing a wicked person, it would embrace and kiss him, yet flee from a righteous person in disgust. If it embraced someone and respected him, the person would be ashamed as his secret sins were revealed, prompting contemplation of repentance. The Dybbuk instantaneously sensed this change and would scream, 'What has changed for you? I can no longer endure being with you,' and would leave in repulsion."

In "The Righteous Rabbi Shlomo", a similar tale is chronicled by Rabbi Shmuel Bloch, a student of the "Chafetz Chaim", relaying the Chafetz Chaim's words:

"During Rabbi Elijah's era, a man became possessed and would roam exclaiming people's sins. He'd say, 'I like you,' then list their transgressions, shaming them publicly. This would spur repentance, causing the spirit to declare, 'I hate you,' for repenting, fleeing from them. When threatened with being taken to the Gaon, the spirit expressed no fear, believing the Gaon uninterested in such matters." The Chafetz Chaim also relayed that the Dybbuk of Novardok claimed to be the first to throw a stone at the prophet Zechariah.

Soul Reparations by the Vilna Gaon

"I am certain," wrote Rabbi Shlomo Katzenelnbogen, head of the Vilna rabbinical court, in his endorsement of "Safra Detzniuta," "that several souls came to him (the Gaon) to plead for rectification." Students of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin bore witness, conveying their teacher's testimony that "one time a soul was judged with sulfur in the Gaon's room." Rabbi David Luria recounted hearing from Rabbi Shaul of Vilna a personal anecdote revolving around the Gaon, who observed him even during his scant half-hour of sleep. The Gaon, as a reflection of the trials of deceased souls, particularly those recently acquainted with him, bore a distressful countenance during these sleep intervals. After much persistence, he revealed his empathy for their sufferings, and especially for those he had known in life.