The Origins of the Dybbuk

Possession by demonic forces is probably older than civilization. Yet, a curious shift happened in Jewish history. After nearly 1000 years pass with no virtually no demonic possession narratives in Judaism, a new form of possession emerges in the 16th century - the Dybbuk. In this episode I trace the history and development of the Dybbuk in the Kabbalah. From the transformation of the souls of sinners into demonic powers, the process of reincarnation (gilgul) and impregnation (ibbur), and polypsychism the development of the Dybbuk is truly extraordinary and frighting.