When you’re shopping in Israel, you will see vendors selling a decoration piece of a palm with an eye in it as a souvenir. This hand thing is called Hamsa. Yes it looks like one of those Evil Eye pieces you see in Turkey.
So why is this hand found in Israeli shops? Should you buy this as souvenir or gifts?
What’s Hamsa for?
Hamsa hand is used as an amulet, Hamsa comes from خمسة in Arabic, which means five. So the palm (with five fingers) is interpreted as protection and blessings. The symbol of hand is also saying ‘stop’ to evil things.
There is an eye in the palm. The concept is to put an evil eye here to protect attacks from other “evil eyes”.
It’s common to carry amulets in ancient cultures, as it is believed that this would allow their children stay healthy and women would give birth.
This hand is commonly known as the “Hand of Fatima“, the daughter of Muhammad. Some people call it “Hand of Maria“, “Hand of Miriam“, “Hand of Goddess“, “Hand of God“….. It’s a shared symbol between religions such as Hindus, Buddhists, Jains etc. Well, that’s one good reason to be cautious if a symbol can be shared between faiths.
The Origin of Hamsa
It is believed that the source of Hamas is paganism, from Goddess Tanit or Asherah. Tanit is the name of a Phenician goddess. She and Baal’s wife Astaroth/Ashtoreth in the Bible were both queens that control fertility in the same period of time.
Then Goddess Tanir and Astaroth became one goddess, called “Asherah”.
He stopped the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained from burning incense on the high places in the towns of Judah and around Jerusalem, as well those burning incense to Baal, the sun, the moon, the constellations, and to all the host of heaven. Then he brought out the Asherah pole from the House of Adonai to Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, burned it in the Kidron Valley, ground it to dust and threw its dust over the graves of the common people. Then he tore down the quarters of the male cult prostitutes that had been in the House of Adonai, where the women had been weaving coverings for the Asherah. (2 Kings 23:5-7)
The symbol of Tanit is this hand. It’s usually found on graves…. (The source of the pictures below)
Asherah was the ‘Queen of Heaven’ mentioned by Prophet Jeremiah.
Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Israel, saying: ‘You and your wives have both spoken with your mouths and fulfilled it with your hands, saying: “We will definitely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven and to pour out drink-offerings to her.” You surely will confirm your vows and surely will perform your vows!’” (Jeremiah 44:25)
A tombstone from 800BC that mentioned Asherah used the symbol of a hand too. (The source of the pictures below)
Hamsa is considered to be connected to Islam, mainly because Hamsa is mostly seen in Islamic world such as Northern African or Middle Eastern countries. And ‘five’ is significant to muslims because ‘The Five Pillars of Islam‘ is foundation of Muslim faith.
How did Hamsa Become a Part of Jewish Culture?
Elements of Hamsa can be seen in Jewelry design and art now. But if Hamsa does from Islamic background, how did it get into Jewish culture that is much older?
It’s not difficult actually.
Asherah and Baal were easily accepted by the house of David. But how Hamsa got into Jewish culture was because Sephardic Jews used to live in Islamic countries and they picked it up from there. Then there was a teaching on Sabbath that mentioned ‘amulet’, then somehow using amulet was ‘justified’. And Hamsa as an amulet was ‘okay’. Then Kabbalists also used this symbol, so this Hamsa culture became popular.
Should You Buy Hamsa as Gift As Christians (or For Christian Friends)?
There are many stores in Israel selling Hamsa hands, but it surely doesn’t mean everything you see in the ‘Holy land’ or even Christian souvenir shops are ‘holy’ in the eyes of God. People are attracted to buy Hamsa because it is mysterious. Now the source of this mystery is explained- paganism, and it’s related to Baal’s wife Asherah. It’s needless to say what God thinks about this.
Even if it is nicely packaged as something “bringing luck, keeping evil away”, or you might even see bible verses, walls of Jerusalem, star of David on it, but what’s IN it? Nothing has changed anything about the source of this symbol, Tanit’s symbol. Asherah.
Therefore, ” If Adonai is God, follow Him; but if Baal is, follow him.” There are many other souvenirs you can buy in Israel. Or pick something small like postcards for your friends. But be sure to look at what you pick, don’t accidentally take one of these!
References
1.http://www.lebtahor.com/Archaeology/inscriptions/khirbet%20el%20qom%20tomb%20inscription.htm
2.https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/hamsa/
3.https://www.goddess-pages.co.uk/in-praise-of-tanit-2/
