Monday, January 28, 2019

Jeweish Folklore - The Dybbuk


In my new book, Finders Demonologist Luke Melloy has to deal with lots of different kinds of nasty spirits from all different religions. One of these meddlesome spirits is called a Dybbuk. 

According to Jewish folklore, a dybbuk is a ghost or disturbed soul that possesses the body of a living being. In early biblical and Talmudic accounts they are called "ruchim," which means "spirits" in Hebrew. During the 16th century, spirits became known as "dybbuks," which means "clinging spirit" in Yiddish.

There are numerous stories about dybbuks in Jewish folklore, each with its own take on the characteristics of a dybbuk. As a result, the specifics of what a dybbuk is, or how the spirit is created vary. 

What Is a Dybbuk?

A dybbuk is a disembodied spirit. It is the soul of someone who has died but is unable to move on for one of many reasons. For those who believe in an afterlife in the form of heaven and hell, the dybbuk is a sinner who is seeking refuge from afterlife punishment.

In a variation on this theme, the dybbuk is a soul suffering from "karet," meaning the soul has been cut off from God because of evil deeds the person did during their life. Other tales portray dybbuks as spirits that have unfinished business among the living.

Many stories about dybbuks maintain spirits exist inside living bodies. The people most often portrayed as being susceptible to possession by the dybbuk are women and those living in homes with neglected mezuzot. Neglected mezuzah as an indication that the people in the home are not very spiritual.

How to Get Rid of a Dybbuk


There are probably as many different ways to exorcise a dybbuk as there are stories about them. 

Often the first step in the exorcism is interviewing the dybbuk. The purpose of this is to determine why the spirit has not moved on. This information will help the person performing the ritual to convince the dybbuk to leave. It is also important to discover the dybbuk's name because, according to Jewish folklore, knowing the name of an otherworldly being allows a knowledgeable person to command it. In many stories, dybbuks are more than happy to share their woes with anyone who will listen.

After the interview, the steps in exorcising a dybbuk vary greatly. According to author Howard Chajes, a combination of adjurations and various props are common. For instance, the exorcist may hold an empty flask and a white candle. He will then recite a formulaic adjuration commanding the spirit to reveal its name (if it hasn't done so already). A second adjuration commands the dybbuk to leave the person and fill the flask, after that the flask will glow red.

Find out more here.




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Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Romine Reviews - Three for the Win by Keta Diablo

Blurb

Eli Trace and Hollis Rowan have been friends in the small town of Barrows since childhood. Their lives are changed forever when Stede Marrow rides in on his big shiny motorcycle. After he saves Eli from drowning in the creek, Eli introduces him to Hollis.

One look is all it took for Stede and Hollis to fall in love. Eli soon realizes he just crushed his own dreams of happiness and Stede wonders why he didn't just keep on riding down that road to nowhere. He's on the run from the law and to tell his new best friends the truth could put their lives in danger.

Three For the Win is about a love triangle between two men who love the same woman and a woman who loves them both in her own way. And then there's the bullies of Barrows who won't tolerate a tough-as-nails stranger threatening the control and power they've held over the town for years.

Danger twists and turns like a maze through Barrows and not everyone makes it out alive.


Three For The WinThree For The Win by Keta Diablo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Three for the Win - First off Keta Diablo always delivers I can always look forward to a sweeping romance when I sit down to read one of her latest releases. Three for the Win is no exception to this rule. Well paced, engaging, funny and also heartbreaking.Three for the Win reflects how love is not always cut and dry. It is messy, complicated and never easy.

Keta's characters are always very original, never cookie cutter and always very intense. She left out the heated scenes this time around opting for a sneak peek and let the readers imagination do the rest of the work.

Three for the Win is well crafted, beautifully written and a great book to snuggle up to on a rainy night. Bravo to Keta once again, looking forward to her next romantic entanglement!


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Monday, October 15, 2018

What's for Dinner? - Cream Cheese Chicken Stuffed Peppers

 

Cream Cheese Chicken Stuffed Peppers

Low Carb


Ingredients
2 cups cooked shredded chicken
8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
4 ounces monterey jack grated
4 ounces cheddar grated
1 jalapeno minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup salsa
4 bell peppers any color



Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Slice peppers in half and remove the seeds and membrane. Place in a 9x13 baking dish.
Add chicken, cream cheese, monterey jack, cheddar, jalapeno, cumin, salt, and salsa to a medium mixing bowl and stir well to combine.
Spoon chicken mixture evenly into each halved pepper.
Cover tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
Serve immediately.



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