dybukk

A dybbuk is a malicious, dislocated spirit in Jewish folklore. The word "dybbuk" is Hebrew and translates to "cleaving" or "clinging," referring to the spirit's attachment to a living person. It is believed to be the disembodied soul of a dead person who, due to unrepented sins or a violent death, cannot find rest and seeks to possess a living body. The possessed individual is said to exhibit personality changes, speak in a foreign voice, and possess knowledge beyond their own.

The concept of the dybbuk is rooted in Kabbalistic beliefs about the soul's journey after death and the possibility of its entanglement with the earthly realm. Possession by a dybbuk is not a permanent state; exorcism rituals, often involving a rabbi or an experienced spiritual figure, are performed to drive the spirit out. These rituals typically involve prayers, sacred texts, and commands delivered to the dybbuk. Stories of dybbuk possession have been a recurring theme in Jewish literature and folklore, often serving as cautionary tales or explorations of the human psyche. While primarily a figure of superstition, the dybbuk has also been interpreted metaphorically as representing inner turmoil or unresolved psychological issues.