In ancient Hebrew myths, there is mention of a sinister demonic lineage known as Dybbuk. As time passed, Dybbuk became associated with various legends of vampires and werewolves.
The truth behind the Dybbuk
The energetic vampire of Hebrew Kabbalah
However, it is important to note that the story of the Dybbuk is not truly mythical, but rather a symbolic representation incorporated by Jewish mystics in the 8th century A.D.
It should be remembered that this people were jealous in their prohibition of mysticism, believing that it, in all its manifestations, undermined faith.
Despite this, mysticism was already a well-known component of Kabbalah in the 12th century and by the 16th century had become an essential part of it, along with some of the exotic creatures that live on its pages – or scrolls, to be more precise – and other rare creatures.
The Hebrew term “Dybbuk” refers to the idea of clinging and binding to something.
It can be understood as an energetic vampire, also known as a psychic or emotional vampire. That is, it is a being created from the negative energy of a person, either through a ritual or spell or by someone who possesses great irrational hatred.
This concept has been mentioned in Dion Fortune’s book “Psychic Self Defense“, specifically in her essay “Non-Human Contacts on the Astral Plane”. Additionally, the Dybbuk has been mentioned in other literary sources, such as the writings of H.P. Lovecraft and the works of Anne Besant and Blavatski.
The Mystery of the Lilim
Behind the Wandering Spirits in Hebrew Tradition
According to Hebrew tradition, the ancient “lilim” are believed to be wandering and incorporeal spirits who have managed to escape the impenetrable walls of Gehenna and Sheol and are believed to be the true identity of the Dybbuk.
Lilith, the mother of vampires, is considered the progenitor of the lost children of the Dybbuk. In the past, it was believed that the spirits of those who had committed suicide sought a way to return to the world and for that reason, made sinister deals with the Dybbuk.”
The Dybbuk
The legend of the demonic being that haunts pregnant women
The Dybbuk is a demonic being whose dissatisfaction with its current situation is palpable. Its only desire is to return to the world of the living, so it employs any method at its disposal to achieve this. It even tries to displace the souls of developing embryos to embody itself in a body that better suits its malevolent nature.
This behavior has generated fear in pregnant women, a concern that is reflected in the 2009 horror film “The Unborn”.
According to mystics of the eighth century, the Dybbuk can be a demon or a deceased person seeking to avoid or delay judgment of their soul, leading them to wander the world of forms.
Prior to the opportunity to interact with an inexperienced individual and begin consuming their life energy until possession is acquired, the Dybbuk is in a state of nudity, loneliness and disorientation.
Demonic possession, as the name suggests, is the most terrifying type of possession. The Dybbuk clings to its victim, undermining their will but allowing them a degree of autonomy or a semblance of normality, which delays the intervention of the exorcist.
The Influence of the Dybbuk in Popular Culture and the Quest for Truth Behind the Myth
The description of the Dybbuk includes a creature with goat legs, hairy and foul-smelling, resembling a human in certain aspects. In order to interact in the sensory world, the Dybbuk must enter or possess a human body.
Some experts in Hebrew tradition, such as Robert Graves and Raphael Patai in their work “Hebrew Myths,” suggest that an impure person can absorb subtle elements of the Dybbuk by breathing in the vapors of incense.
How to recognize a Dybbuk?
Know the ghostly manifestations that can be mistaken for angels
Legends about the Dybbuk are varied and some suggest that it enters the world through tricks and deception. It uses ghostly manifestations that can seem helpful and be mistaken for angels or other supernatural phenomena.
However, once the Dybbuk has exhausted the will of its prey, it penetrates their body.
After accessing the mind, the Dybbuk begins to manifest through violent personality changes, emotional outbursts and erratic and incoherent behavior, typical of someone who has had a long day of deprivation, eating and drinking until exhausted.
What effects does possession by a Dybbuk have on the mental and physical health of its host?
It is of utmost importance to note that indulging in these excesses is intended to further unbalance the host’s energies, making it easier for the Dybbuk to find a home within them.
According to some accounts, the Dybbuk even takes the opportunity to turn others into vampires through the use of its host. The Dybbuk, having reached the final stage of possession, will motivate its host to consume large amounts of candy and sugar.
As a result, victims often experience a deep depression that leaves them confined to a desolate state of mind. According to legend, one can observe expectoration and vomiting of an extremely thick, unpleasant-smelling whitish substance.
It is at this point that the first signs of madness begin to manifest.
Exorcisms and amulets
The salvation of Dybbuk victims
The Dybbuk is an entity whose personality emerges once the body and mind of its victim have been practically nullified. Its control over the human body is limited and not permanent, as it only lasts between a week and a few months at most.
If the person affected by this demon seeks the help of a rabbi specialized in exorcisms, they can be saved. A successful exorcism must be carried out to release the Dybbuk from the body and the person must wear a blessed amulet made of wax or steel for the rest of their life to prevent a relapse.
When not controlling a person, the Dybbuk usually resides in abandoned caves or in gusts of wind that play with dry leaves.