The Danger of Even Numbers and Our Grandmothers’ Customs

The Danger of Even Numbers and Our Grandmothers’ Customs

As children, we often heard from our grandmothers and mothers that it is not good to give or buy an even number of items. Among Mountain Jews, there is even a saying on this subject. As it turns out, this is not among the practices known as “darkei ha-Emori”—the ways of the Amorites. It was taught in a baraita: A person should not eat in pairs or drink in pairs. Therefore, drinking an even number of glasses attracts demons. The exception is the Passover Seder, when we drink four cups of wine—at that time, there is no need to fear demons. Rav Nachman said: It is written in Scripture (Exodus 12:42): “It is a night of protection for the L-rd, for your generations.” A night protected from harmful forces. - Rava said: “A cup over which a blessing is recited joins [the cups] that preceded it for good, but does not join [the cups] that preceded it for evil.” - Ravina said: “The Sages instituted these four cups in remembrance of the redemption [from the Egyptian exile], and each of these cups is a separate mitzvah.” - Rav Yosef said: “A demon named Yosef said this to me: Everything in pairs is placed under the authority of Ashmedai, the king of demons. The king himself, however, is not called ‘the bringer of harm.’ Others say: On the contrary, authority is in the king’s hands. Whatever he wishes, he does.” - Rav Pappa said: “A demon named Yosef said this to me: For two [cups of wine], we kill; for four, we cause harm. For two, without distinguishing whether it was intentional or accidental; for four, if it was intentional, yes, but if accidental, no.” [The Gemara asks]: If a person forgot about this, and it happened that [he drank an even number of cups] and left—how can he remedy it? [The Gemara answers]: He should take the thumb of his right hand in his left hand, and the thumb of his left hand in his right, and say: “You and I—we are three.” If he then hears a voice saying: “You and I—we are four,” he should reply: “You and I—we are five.” If he hears them say: “You and I—we are six,” he should say: “You and I—we are seven.” It once happened that the count reached 101, and only then did the demon burst. In the Land of Israel, people do not fear even numbers. In Nehardea, however, they do fear even numbers. [The Gemara concludes]: The general rule is this: One who is particular is treated with particularity, while one who is not particular is not treated with particularity—but it is still advisable to be cautious. (Based on the book Ein Yaakov by Rabbi Yaakov ibn Habib, Pesachim, ch. 10) P.S. It is well known that the Jewish court could not have an even number of judges, so that a decision could be reached; the composition of the Small Sanhedrin therefore had to include 23 judges. People also avoid an even number of eggs. Eggs are boiled in odd numbers so that the principle of “bitul ba-rov” will apply. If an even number of eggs are boiled in one pot and blood is later found in one of them, the other eggs are forbidden to eat.