I often say that I learn more from this blog than anyone else because my readers are so well informed. A very kind lady named Amie sent me an article today that was so shocking, so offensive, I thought it might’ve been parody, of the anti-Semitic variety. 

Entitled “Queering the Jewish Holidays: How I Celebrate Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur,” the author is a self-described “Jewitch” meaning a Jewish Witch, who promotes ideas that have nothing to do with Judaism and everything to do with the dark side.

“It brings me a lot of joy to see and experience the ways in which Jewish tradition and Pagan tradition overlap and compliment one another,” she strangely claims, then describes an “apple craft” which involves cutting an apple to reveal a pentacle to “acknowledge that apples are magic, just like you and just like me.”

Now, I don’t know about you, but I have never, ever seen a pentacle inside of an apple, nor have I ever considered an apple to be magical. That is just downright odd!

Things get even weirder, as she describes a so-called “New Moon Ritual” that involves Tarot cards—something which is explicitly forbidden in the Torah, along with fortune tellers, oracles, soothsayers, psychics, etc. 

Let’s be clear: If someone is practicing witchcraft, they can not simultaneously practice Judaism. 

Judaism, rightfully so, condemns all forms of witchcraft because it is ungodly, unsafe, and sick. If someone chooses those beliefs, I don’t think they should be persecuted or harmed, not at all, but they are mentally disturbed and need our help and compassion. 

Unfortunately, this is not a single case of one mixed-up girl. There are repulsive necklaces for sale that combine a Star of David with a Pentagram; a terrible website called Jewitch whose members attend creepy “Jewitch Camps” in the woods; and The Forward wrote about others, back in 2003, counting their numbers in the hundreds, describing them in this way:

“Jewitches have a strong sense of Jewish identity but also practice magic, cast spells and tend to identify with “goddess-directed” worship. Their beliefs run the gamut from strict monotheists to those who worship a pantheon of goddesses. 

“There are two main schools of Jewitchery. On one end are “Jewish witches,” Jewish women who practice Wicca or another form of neo-pagan religion, combining their identity and spirituality practice with “Jewishness,” if not actual Judaism. On the other end of the continuum are “witchy Jews,” Jewish women who practice a form of normative Judaism and infuse it with a magical perspective gleaned from the pagan world.”

Whatever these ladies call themselves, they are all, 100% of them, not following Jewish law, which only recognizes one God, and rejects all forms of paganism or Goddess worship. 

Maybe some folks think I’m overacting and it’s not a big deal, but I beg to differ. The occult has attracted troubled souls for centuries and it hurts those who are the most vulnerable, the most in need of God’s love and God’s word. I am totally against anything that separates people from that. We all need God, not false gods.

I’m willing to accept a wide range of philosophies and lifestyles, but not ones that are directly encouraging people to harm themselves; most definitely, it harms spiritually and a lot of times, it also hurts in a physical way. 

For most, witchcraft is only a passing phase, thankfully, but it can do a lot of damage during its height—damage to the individual and damage to society. There is nothing good about witchcraft and anytime we see it, we must condemn it. 

With most everyone leading crazy/busy lives, finding time for Bible reading can seem like a luxury. It’s similar to exercise—people buy gym memberships but never visit, and they own Bibles, but rarely open them, yet we know that both are necessary for our physical and mental health.

Where and how to start, especially if you’ve never done it, can seem daunting indeed. After all, it’s a very long book, with a lot of complicated information, that’s hard to analyze and digest. 

Sure, you can open the first page and begin with Genesis. There is wrong with that approach, however, it may go no further. (I know multiple people who have attempted Genesis repeatedly but never progressed.)

Personally, I think Proverbs is the best place to start, for two reasons:

1. Proverbs is uniquely suited for women

2. Proverbs has 31 chapters

By reading only 1 chapter per day, which is not a huge burden, you can finish it completely in one month. These chapters are short and shouldn’t require more than 15 minutes daily, even for the slowest readers. Fast readers can do it in 5 minutes. 

Why is Proverbs important? This article sums it up so well. Boiled down to its most basic essence, Proverbs teaches us how to live the best life. It offers wisdom, warnings, and describes the ideal woman (sometimes referred to literally as the “Proverbs 31 Woman” because of the corresponding verse.) I truly love Proverbs because it speaks to a woman’s heart on a very deep level.

I know you’re busy; I’m busy too, but there is nothing more important than growing spiritually and getting peace, strength and contentment from the Word of God. Please find the time. It’s so worth it! 

Any other Proverbs fans out there?