Jewish Ghost Stories

Fantasy is one of the most popular genres on earth. From “Harry Potter” to “Lord of the Rings” to “Game of Thrones”, our society has been enraptured by the magical possibilities of far-off lands, monsters, and adventure. But what about Jewish fantasy? Judaism has a rich history of “folk narratives” all the way from the Middle Ages: tales of wandering ghosts, magical duels, distant lands, and monstrous creatures. Join Jewish historian Dr. David Shyovitz for this thrilling four-part exploration of Jewish fantasy and ghost stories. As we shall see, belief in the otherworldly and supernatural were not merely popular superstitions. Rather, these stories transmitted deeply held values, and reflected abstract and sophisticated theological tenets. Read carefully, they provide us with a fascinating vantage point onto the challenges faced by Jews living in an often-hostile cultural climate.