Unfortunately, there are many people today who put a red thread on their hands to protect themselves from malice, evil eye, envy, hatred, etc.
The use of red woolen thread on the hand is a Jewish Kabbalistic tradition. The word “Kabbalah” in Hebrew means “reception, acceptance, and tradition”. The essence of Kabbalah doctrine is that there is some secret knowledge in the Torah (the Pentateuch of the Holy Prophet Moses, i. e. the first five books of the Old Testament) and in other Jewish texts, which is comprehensible only to the elect few. Kabbalistic teachings are often associated with the assignment of some “mystical”, “sacred” meanings to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. It is reminiscent of the teachings of Pythagoreans regarding the “mystical power of numbers” to some extent.
Basically, the Kabbalistic tradition is actually a denial of classical Judaism. It is magic which masquerades as Judaism. Of course, this magic is inherently associated with pride. This is because, as we can see from the above statement, only some chosen ones can understand the science of Kabbalah. There is already segregation in here. There are the chosen ones and everyone else. This dough, of course, is made of pride. The Kabbalah is a source of human pride: “I have secret knowledge that others do not possess.”
The popular red thread also traces its origins back to the Kabbalah tradition that arose in Israel. Obtaining a red thread and wearing it is a magical ritual. Let us not dwell on it because of its meaninglessness, uselessness, and cumbersomeness like everything else in magic, with its meticulous prescription of numerous ridiculous and largely absurd rituals, piled up on each other.
Let’s examine the problem with God’s help. The contemporary Jew is a person whose religion suggests that the Messiah has not yet come to earth. Christ is a false messiah for a Jew. The Jew is waiting for his true “Messiah”.
Therefore, it is very sad when an Orthodox Christian, who has his Messiah, the Lord and God and our Savior Jesus Christ, rejects Him by wearing a red thread and switches over to the Jewish camp. Let us remember the words of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian: “I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan” (Revelation 2:9). The meek and merciful apostle of love called the Jews the synagogue of Satan. Consequently, judging by the logic of Holy Scripture, all those who convert to Judaism, if only by wearing the red thread (which is to be tied according to Kabbalistic rules and with certain Jewish prayers), pass to the congregation of Satan, i. e. turn to the devil.
Therefore, an Orthodox Christian must not wear a red thread. If this happens, it is a sin that should be confessed to the priest.
Naturally, I do not think that all the people who wear red threads are convinced and conscious devotees of the Jewish religion. Most likely, they have a semi-pagan view of the world and faith. They seek to protect themselves from the evil eye, evil spirits, and other things by all means at their disposal. They go to church to light a candle, then put on a Kabbalistic thread, invite a priest to bless their house, go to a witch, read the Lord’s Prayer, hang the Seven-Arrows icon above the door, and add a horseshoe and the Turkish Hand of Fatima next to it to make sure they are safe.
But in the eyes of God, being lukewarm is a grave sin. The Book of Revelation reminds us, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15,16). These are scary words, and what a terrible punishment is intended for those who are lukewarm!
Who are they? What kind of people are these? People whose most heartfelt affection is for the material world, who have the desire to live and commit sins, and don’t care for anything else. People who, like the Pharisees, want to put religion in their service in order to comfort themselves with pride or vainglory, or love of money, or other sins. People who reject God and establish themselves as new idols on the throne of their hearts. Such people are ready to go to church, to a witch doctor, to put on a red thread, and to light a sandal stick in front of an elephant in a Hindu temple – all at the same time. They don’t really care what religion they have, as long as they get what they want.
Let us, dear brothers and sisters, cast off this ignorance, withdraw from the midst of sin, and focus our minds on Christ. He is our main protection. The road to Him is the main purpose in life. As we follow this path, we acquire a treasure that will make the rest of the world fade. We enter into fellowship with God, the only Giver of all things, the only Source of life and well-being for us and the entire world.
Translated by The Catalogue of Good Deeds
I was looking for clarity in this matter. Thank you.