The Evil Eye in Judaism: What It Is, How It Works, and Rabbi Ovadia Yosef’s Guidance

In Jewish tradition, several halachic rulings are based on concerns about the evil eye (Ayin Hara).

What exactly is the nature of this phenomenon? Does the evil eye stem from jealousy or hatred — or can admiration or attention unintentionally cause harm?

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef’s Explanation

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef in his book Anaf Etz Avot, clarifies: “The evil eye is not caused only by those with jealousy or malice — even love or admiration can cause it. Even Torah scholars, when they gaze upon someone with strong emotion or wonder, can unknowingly invoke it.”

He cites the Talmud (Berachot 58b): “Rav Papa and Rav Huna, son of Rabbi Yehoshua, were traveling on the road when they met Rabbi Chanina ben Rav Ika. Out of great joy, they blessed him with Shehechiyanu (‘Who has kept us alive’) and ‘Who has shared His wisdom with those who fear Him’. Rabbi Chanina responded by blessing them in return with the same two blessings, and added Baruch Chacham Harazim (‘Blessed is the Knower of Secrets’), saying that they were as valuable in his eyes as 600,000 Jews.
They marveled at his wisdom — and because they looked upon him with such intensity, they cast upon him an evil eye, and he passed away.”

This story illustrates that Ayin Hara can arise even from positive feelings, such as admiration, excitement, or emotional energy directed toward someone or something.

The Talmudic Warning — Stay Modest and Grounded

In Sanhedrin 92a, Rabbi Elazar teaches: “A person should always be kabel ve’kayem — humble and enduring.” Likewise, in Berachot 31b, Chana prayed for “a seed among men,” meaning: “A seed blended among people — not outstandingly wise nor foolish, but balanced and modest.”

In this spirit, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef explains that one should avoid self-promotion or attracting excessive attention. Still, he adds: “If God has blessed a person with wisdom and the ability to teach and inspire others, he should not refrain from doing so out of fear of the evil eye. For one who keeps a mitzvah is protected from harm — ‘Shomer mitzvah lo yeda davar ra’ — the mitzvah itself shields and saves him.”

Fear Strengthens What You Fear

Rabbi Ovadia also quotes the Talmudic principle: ‘Man d’lo kapid, lo kapdinan behadei’ — whoever does not worry about the evil eye will not be affected by it.

Those who are constantly preoccupied with Ayin Hara only make themselves more vulnerable to it. Excessive focus on protection rituals or superstitions distracts a person from genuine self-improvement and trust in God. “Those who obsess over the evil eye not only neglect the essentials, but they also invite unnecessary harm. The more a person fixates on it, the more susceptible he becomes.”

A Balanced Approach

The proper path, writes Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, is the middle way —
to acknowledge Ayin Hara as a spiritual reality, but not to fear it excessively.

If necessary, one may use authentic spiritual remedies mentioned in the Talmud (Berachot 55b), such as modesty, blessings, and acts of kindness. Ultimately, faith and good deeds are the greatest protection. As the sages taught: “The mitzvah protects and saves.”