Humans have forever been fascinated by the mysterious: that which lies beyond the realm of the natural and rational world we spend most of our time operating in. Even as modern science advances, and our understanding of the natural world deepens, our fascination with the paranormal has only grown stronger.

The significance of dreams; the predictive powers of the stars; the influence of the evil eye; the effectiveness of a curse or blessing; the existence of otherworldly spirits, angels, or demons; and the possibility of interaction with intelligent extraterrestrials are questions that have forever inspired curiosity, eliciting diverse reactions of delight or derision, devotion or dread.

Interest in the paranormal has peaked in recent years, especially on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing economic uncertainty. Many are experiencing insecurity regarding their life and future, and are turning to the realm of the supernatural for information, guidance, and reassurance.

Rising to the challenge, the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) researched the vast depths of the Talmud, Jewish philosophy, and kabbalah and synthesized the resultant insights on the above topics in a brand-new course, entitled Jewpernatural. Now, Jewish audiences worldwide will have unprecedented access to a systematic exploration of the genuine Jewish perspective and guidance on the perennial questions of the paranormal. 

When should we follow our dreams, and when do we say it’s “just a dream”? Let’s explore where inspiration from a lifelike dream can take us. Plus: a time-honored Jewish routine for keeping nightmares at bay.

Judaism insists we can always influence our destiny for the better. Yet, the popular “Mazel tov” wish literally means “good astrology”! What role does destiny play in a tradition that believes humans have free choice?

Can telling someone about my good fortune make it go bad? Can their jealousy create problems for my success? It may sound superstitious, but in Jewish thought, there’s a logical reason to be concerned about “the Evil Eye,” and there’s a practical way to ward it off.

Most people believe in some version of a soul. Do souls continue to exist after death? Can they see us? In this lesson, we will explore what we know about angels, spirits, and extraterrestrial life for insights into our own soul’s nature.