I have always been confused about the legitimacy of wearing red string from kever rochel to ward off ein hara! is it legitimate? i have heard that there is no source for it and yet it has been a minhag among certain Tzadikim like debreczyner Rav to wear it. and at same time i heard that Tosfos( Shabbos ch 7-8) says that it is darchei emori!- superstitious practice!
so which one is it? is it allowed? does it have any basis that it “works”?
Answer:
The custom of wearing a red string is apparently of Christian origin, and it should preferably not be worn.
The Tosefta (Shabbos 7) mentions wearing a red string on one’s finger as a prohibited Pagan practice, and the idea is found in Christian texts (see Mathew 27:28). The Radak (Yeshayahu 40:21) warns of such forbidden practices, and the Rambam is particularly stringent about this and other superstitious ideas (see Moreh Nevuchim III:37).
However, there are some who find legitimacy for the practice of wearing a red string (see Minhag Yisrael Torah Y.D. 179; Be’er Moshe 8:36), and since it is no longer in use as a Pagan or idolatrous practice, the original ruling of the Tosefta might not apply. Moreover, the Tosefta refers to a string around the finger, and not around the wrist.
In addition, the actual prohibition of Darchei Ha-Emori refers to matters that have no reason, or are related to peritzus (immorality), and these practices do not fall under this category, as ruled by the Maharik and the Ran, and cited by the Rema (Yoreh De’ah 178:1).
The Maharik further writes that the prohibition applies only where the issue is obersved as a law (religiously), and not where the matter is optional. See, in this vein the Bach (348), Taz (Orach Chaim 311:4), and Shevet Yehudah (581:1).
Therefore, the practice cannot be said to be prohibited. Yet, based on the Torah instruction of Tamim Yihiyeh, such matters as red strings and the like should preferably be avoided.
