The Maccabaean

THERE is in Palestine a common belief in the powers of an evil eye, especially as to its effect upon the deformation of children, and also upon domestic animals. The belief has been acquired not only by the native Arabs, Mohammedans and Christians, but also by the settlers from Western lands.

It is interesting to observe the simplicity of mind which associates good fortune with a particular way of doing something, whilst the contrary way of acting must necessarily bring misfortune. In Palestine, Jews, Christians and Moslems bow to the superior powers of the evil eye, and at the same time they try to avert its fatal results. The gaze of the eye is especially injurious to health and happiness. Not only does a glance of hatred or jealousy hurt, but a look of wonder and extreme love also is a dangerous influence, for the malignant spirit, observing the fondness of one person for another, determines to ruin his happiness. For instance, the mother who looks with affection at her child may do it harm. It is therefore advisable never to speak too fondly of one's child, nor must one look with astonishment on a sleeping babe.

Every human eye is capable of evil effects, particularly blue eyes. Great fear is also expressed of a man who has large eyebrows. It was supposed that Rabbi Hanan Ben Naphcha, who had massive eyebrows, looked angrily at his brother-in-law, Rabbi Simeon Ben Lakisch, and thus killed him.

To encounter in the early morn a man with a long beard is also dangerous. One meeting him should stop work or return to where he started. The proverb is therefore verified which runs: "Guard me, O God, from a man with a black beard and blue eyes." The following story is told of a believer:

A man strolling with his companions on the Mount of Olives met a Mussulman who had a powerful glance. In conversing with him concerning the evil eye, they saw from afar

an Arab driving his camel, burdened with a heavy load.

The Mussulman flattered himself that he could have the camel sold that very day as meat. Throwing an angry glance at the camel, he whistled loudly and cursed it, saying: "Cursed be thou, O camel! How hast thou fattened!" When lo! the camel slipped. A loaded camel, once fallen with his load, must be slaughtered, and the same day his flesh was sold to the Arabs.

Before the Jaffa gate young men sat chatting, when a Fellahin passed with a pitcher on her head on her way to the pools of Silvan. Among these young men was one who possessed an evil eye. He, too, giving a whistle, and the pitcher fell to the ground, shattered to atoms.

A Fellah known for his evil eye passed by a beautiful vineyard. On the morrow the vineyard was found destroyed and its vines decayed.

As it is impossible, however, to protect oneself from encountering the person who has an evil eye, the Arabs have amulets, pictures, grasses and certain oaths to protect themselves. The Oriental Jews, especially, rival them in the multitude of amulets they possess. There are cabalistic charms that, placed round the neck of an ailing child, may restore it to perfect health. There are many kinds of amulets. The Mussulmans call them "Hidschab," and they consist of verses from the Koran, with pictures of cabalistic emblems. They are written by the Nazarenes and Egyptian negroes, who are, generally, illiterate.

There are sheiks in villages who are said to possess the power of knowing secret things, and who pry into spiritual mysteries. For example, if one has lost anything and goes to the sheik, he will tell him its exact whereabouts. As in olden days, these sheiks are greatly honored by the people, and when their