Red String: The Power of Protection

by Yehuda Berg

The Sages of Kabbalah understood that seemingly harmless envious glances and looks of ill will - the evil eye - are, in fact, anything but harmless. They have tangible physical effects and can actually halt progress toward one's potential in every area of life

Genres: Spirituality, Self Help, Religion, Nonfiction

CD-ROM

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Yehuda Berg is a renowned authority on Kabbalah. Touted as "the people's kabbalist," he shares these teachings as a technology to improve everyday life. In 2007 Newsweek named Yehuda one of the top 5 rabbi's in the US. Yehuda believes that only by transforming our negativity can we unlock our greatest blessings. A bestselling author whose books include The Power of Kabbalah and 72 Names of God, Yehuda is a true spiritual activist. He lives in LA with his wife and 5 children."

Reviews

[Nate D · Rating 1 out of 5]

A friend's roommate was chucking this out, so I rapidly read it in their kitchen last night. The Kabbalah is pretty interesting, a complex set of interlocked arhectypes and symbols, useful for explaining the universe (actual Kabbalists) or for mapping onto other things to extract or multiply their meaning (Thomas Pynchon, 19th-century tarot obsessives, various other literary sources). I don't claim any legit understanding of this stuff, but I love symbology so I poke at it once in a while. Such as just now.

This slighter-than-slight book, however, has really nothing to do with symbology, or probably with the Kabbalah at all. It's pop-mysticism designed to remove all the confusing or arcane bits (the interesting bits) in favor of "results-based technology". Which sounds ridiculous, so then I HAD to see what it was going to say. Essentially:

1. Mercy is good, judgement is bad.
2. When we cast the Evil Eye (ie envy) on someone, we dissipate mercy around both us and them, and judgement moves into the gap. This is dangerous for everyone.
3. Wool string contains qualities of mercy; red is the color of judgement and negative energy. By dying wool string red, we mix judgement into mercy, forming a vaccine against judgement.
4. QED.: wearing red string around your wrist is an inoculation against the Evil Eye. SOUL TECHNOLOGY.

Make of this information entirely what you will.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting introduction in Kabbalah as a technology to get results irrespectively from religion, and giving insight on why we are here, where we are going and what we can do.

Belief in The Creator is necessary, evolutionists are out of luck; also necessary to modify the perception of life in order to attract more good luck and repel bad. Particularly interesting view is that the person can't be judged by anyone, including God, for any actions until they start to judge the others, and not in negative meaning but just incompassionately analyze. Before that I was firmly believing that perception, learning and evaluation of what we met (is harmless, beneficial or harmful for us), is a way of human functioning, not an act of judgment to avoid. I see that as a main problem for implementing what book recommends, the red string remedy doesn't work without adjusting oneself.

What is a red string: simple and powerful protection from evil eye, which is not a superstition, but a very real and dangerous thing, capable to wreck the life. The red string is a strand of red wool, worn on left wrist 24/7, winter or summer, job or leisure, without removing, until it falls off. Note that it will be well visible and job should allow that. After it falls off, it should be replaced by new. The red string should be tied in special way, with prayer said. It is expected that you have the person, you respect and trust, that is sympathetic to what you plan to do, that will tie this string on you and say required prayer sincerely. Another big obstacle, with no alternative provided. (Did I just made a judgment?)

Mindset in provided examples is completely different from what I accustomed to, but if this is a technology that provides results, and desperate times call for a desperate measures, why not? What one has to lose? Worth to try and look deeper into the matter. ...And get a book on traditional Feng Shui, for the same reason.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can literally read this book in one sitting. Easy read to explain what Kabbalah is and what the read thread means. It is an interesting read and will help you look at yourself and understand yourself a little more.

[Dianna Thiel]

Based on the mystical teachings of Kabbalah, the red wool string tied around your left wrist with seven knots reduces your desire to cast an Evil Eye (jealousy) on others and “vaccinates you from the destructive negative forces of the Evil Eye.” The book is 90 pages with lots of white space. Its almost poetic with not much depth. If you’re interested in the deeper philosophy behind the red string you’ll have to look further. But anyone can wear the red string, not just Kabbalists. Seems to bring positive energy. (Contemporary Jewish practice for good luck.)

I liked the quote, “Before the existence of this physical world, all the souls of humanity dwelt in a reality far more authentic than this one.” I find it interesting how people’s beliefs are so definite and varied.

[Alejandro Ariza]

Durante años tuve cerca El libro de los sueños, y hasta hoy lo leí. Es muy pequeño, se puede leer todo en un par de horas. No sabía que la Kabbalah también aportaba conocimiento acerca de los sueños y de su significado. Me hizo sentido. Me sorprendió un poco la exactitud de algunas sugerencias de interpretación al final. Lo más valioso para mí: un brevísimo repaso de la Kabbalah, donde el mensaje persiste: solo lo que se merece por el esfuerzo aporta valor real, Luz. Lo que se logra sin esfuerzo, termina generando más mal que bien. Y sí. Sí. Si ya sabes de Kabbalah es un libro valioso, si no, primero aprende lo básico de Kabbalah para que lo aprecies más.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very quick read. A basic, no frills explanation of Kabbalah and the meaning of the red string. A reminder that what we do unto others will return to us; look upon everyone with love and acceptance. To take responsibility; we are not victims. To have gratitude in this moment. While this book was focused on the meaning of the red string I believe it is a wonderful basic introduction to the basics of Kabbalah.

[Ama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aprecio el haber aprendido más sobre el hilo rojo, algo que es tan común ver en muchas tiendas y las personas las usan sin saber realmente cómo activarlas o usarlas de forma correcta, buen libro y es corto.

[George Araman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book, well written, short and to the point. Eye opening!

[José Rosas Tejeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente libro

[Mariana Hurtado · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunatelly I didn't learn anything new.

[Ana Laura Martínez Pereyra · Rating 3 out of 5]

De gran enseñanza.

[Brit Gustafson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful and I learned a lot that I am now using in my every day life.

[Mau Kuri · Rating 4 out of 5]

🧿✨

[Adriana Lema · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un libro corto, sencillo, básico.
Fácil de entender y leer así tengas conocimientos kabbalisticos o no.

[Richard Curry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the tiny running press abridged version of this book. It provided a cosmological explanation of the universe plus human perception and experience. Life is said to have been configured as a game of "hide and seek" to make life more fun. Described is a curtain of ego eclipsing enlightenment. A passive prayer for light was described to be ineffectual until the person actually went and turned on the provided switch with their own hand. It advised cultivating a habit of resistance to thoughtless reactivity. Also there was a suggestion to use included red string on the wrist to deflect envy and the results of any judgmental tendencies, said to be known as "evil eye". I enjoyed this book and found some value in thinking about the few ideas it presented. It is not a lengthy book. I had it for a couple of years before I picked it up and read it. The technique of the red string would perhaps work in several ways: distract envious eyes, attract attention as conversation piece with friendly people, but also expose one to ridicule (overt or covert) by haughty person who despises what they see as superstition. It seems ANY attractive device or item could be used as a diversion and distraction of malcontents, and attraction of friends. The ideas about ego and reality i think are the really valuable content of this volume, not the stringy prop itself. See above for discussion of the ideas.

[Ferki · Rating 1 out of 5]

La verdad...no me parece nada espectacular, tiene muy buenas reflexiones, pero es lento, tiene muchas (muchas) páginas en blanco con sólo un "hilo rojo"...y un poco después de la mitad del libro, se vuelve sólo un anuncio del resto de los libros que vende el centro de Kabbalah...

Una gran decepción...

[Riobhcah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book from Rav Berg about how we can utilize the red string as a focus of positivity in our lives. I wish everyone in the world would make an effort to put this into practice. The world would be transformed.

[Abrandon · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book attempts to find fault with introspection, reminding the reader that all violence comes from within. Yehuda Berg touches on number & color symbolism to suggest a peaceful existence of non-attachment. I bought my copy from Unique thrift.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another gem from mr y. berg
A lovely little book I return to again and again...

Luv it?

[Todd · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would think more highly of the author if I knew for sure he was making all of this stuff up and laughing all the way to the bank.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!!!

[Martha · Rating 1 out of 5]

So tacky. The people who want to adopt including the narrator are so shallow and unfit parent material. I gave up on the book about half way through it was so bad.

[Rem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I dont remember because it has been a few years. I will have to re-read it to give it a fair review.

[Analia Bignami · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow

[Margarita Kraynova · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mom had this book and I decided to give it a read. Very interesting outlook on life. I definitely like the promotion of positivity!

[Graham Cammock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being near the beginning of my reading odyssey, I am fairly sure I read this book, I remember it being good, but not as good as The Power Of Kabbalah, which I read prior to The Red String Book.

[Eduardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, practical and essential.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting