Question
Do Jews believe in demons? If yes are they purely in spirit or do you believe that they can also be negative thoughts, emotions and beliefs? Do you belief a persons thoughts and emotions can affect another person if it is directed at them.
Answer
Some believe in demons and some do not. It is not a major issue in Jewish thought. Those who do believe in demons believe that they can take physical form and are sometimes, but not always, visible to humans. And, yes, we do believe that it is possible to affect someone else’s fortunes with one’s thoughts. This is what is meant by the “evil eye.”