Rabbinic Reflections
People’s habits are hard to change. So often when people want to avoid the evil spirits and prevent catastrophe in their lives, they use the expression “knock on wood”. A close examination of this phrase, uttered by both Christians and Jews, reveals a meaning different than they intend.
In Roman times, it was believed that the spirits warned the kin of those about to die by rapping or knocking loudly. In Ireland, the doomed person would hear the knocking on the door for three successive midnights. However in England, if one hears a knock at the door and finds no one there, it’s sometimes said, half jokingly, that the devil has evidently just entered the house. These sharp raps or loud knocks are commonly attributed to spirits or the supernatural in general.
“Knocking on wood” is one of the most common superstitions in all lands and cultures and is one of the few that has remained when others have been abandoned. Will Rodgers admitted, “I knock on wood before I make my entrance.” Many, after boating of some achievement or boasting of their good fortune, als “knowck on wood.” The feeling is, that after bragging about health or good fortune, there may be retribution from evil spirits who will try to nullify the person’s good fortune.
The use of magic to protect us has developed into many interesting forms. The act of spitting is supposed to remove the power and the hurt already received. Spitting, therefore, whether at someone or simpley spitting finds a place in nearly every magical action. It has been replaced, today, by the expression “toi, toi, toi,” which is merely a reproduction of the sound of spitting.
In both cases, “knocking on wood,” like the expression “toi, toi, toi,” have developed to ward off evil spirits in the hope that G-d will bless them and continue their good fortune. Yet, it is most significant that the custom of “knocking on wood” finds its origin in the ancient religious habit of touching a wooden crucifix. Which symbolized Jesus’ death and resurrection. By “knocking on wood” Christians intoned Jesus’ powers to ward off the evil spirits in the hope that Jesus would continue their good fortune. Many times charms or amulets of wood were carried on watch chains or in pockets so that a bit of wood would be available when required.
Jews who intone the phrase “knocking on wood” are calling upon the powers of Jesus to continue their good fortune. I’m always surprised when individuals are unaware of the meaning of the utterance. Jews, on the other hand, should call upon the Almighty for His divine help. Jews should praise G-d by saying “Boruch Hashem –Blessed be G-d “ when they want to seek the Almighty’s beneficence. Instead of “knocking on wood” we should use the Jewish Expression, “Boruch Hashem.” In this way we turn our prayers for divine assistance and continued good fortune to the Almighty who has watched over us for thousands of years and will continue to do so in the years to come. “Boruch Hashem.”
Dr. Jonathan V. Plaut
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