The NY Daily News reprots: NY Gov. David Paterson has begun wearing a red string kabbalah bracelet in an eyebrow-raising bid to deflect ill will. “It was explained to the governor that the red string is a symbol of protection [that] wards off problems and tribulations,” Paterson spokesman Morgan Hook said.”His attitude was that he’ll take all the help he can get.”
Paterson could be forgiven for turning to a little divine protection.
In the past six months he’s found himself under investigation, dumped his reelection bid as a result, and wrestled with the Legislature over the state budget.
So he’s apparently trying his luck with the trendy talisman favored by followers of the mystical Jewish discipline.
“Kabbalah didn’t change his life, just to be clear here,” Hook said.
Either way, Paterson may not be getting all the spiritual backup he hopes for – the bracelet is customarily worn on the left wrist, while the governor is seen in photos wearing it on his right.
Paterson’s spiritual shift was set in motion this spring when the Catholic-raised pol visited the Queens burial site of a venerated rabbi.
It was at the Union Field Cemetery in Ridgewood, housing the body of Rabbi Jacob Joseph, who died in 1902 and whose tomb has become a sacred site visited by thousands of Jews, that Paterson learned about the little red string.
Kabbalah followers believe that the $26 bracelet wards off the “evil eye” and brings about good fortune.
It appears to be the accessory of choice for high-profile New Yorkers facing controversy.
Kabbalah teachings date back 4,000 years.
According to the Kabbalah Centre’s Web site, its “sages have taught that every human being is born with the potential for greatness. Kabbalah is the means for activating that potential.”
The exact date Paterson began wearing the red string isn’t clear, but may have been around February when he came under scrutiny for having intervened in a domestic-violence case involving his former top aide, David Johnson.
{NY Daily News/Noam Amdurski-Matzav.com Newscenter}
I suggest he have his jacket closing changed to right over left. Would that cost more than $26?
ain-horah? not him.
Shhhh. He thinks it’s a Rolex.
where in kaballah does it state wearing a red string helps anything. I can show you where in the torah it can be seen as beged ishah… ridiculous.
NEBECH
this is a catholic minhag and as nothing to do with anything related to Toras Hashem.
lol @ need to know
the debriciner quoted 3 things he heard from his mother but couldn’t find the mekor but mentioned that they are correct. One was a baby looking into a mirror before speaking or gaining teeth. One was that one shouldn’t step over a growing person and the last one was to wear a red bindele against ayin hora
Maybe some good can come out of this. Jews will see that the roite bendel and other similar segulos are pure superstition.