Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

dybbuk

noun

ˈdɪb.ək

Definition

A dybbuk is a malicious spirit that is believed to possess the bodies of the living.

Examples

The tale of the dybbuk has been told in many Jewish communities for centuries.
In the movie, the protagonist is haunted by a dybbuk that disrupts her life.
People believe that rituals can help expel a dybbuk from a host body.

Meaning

In Jewish folklore, a dybbuk is associated with the souls of the dead, specifically those who have not found peace after death. It is thought to be the spirit of a deceased person, often one who died under tragic circumstances or in a state of turmoil.