Everyone wants to have good fortune! My close set of girlfriends who are American, European, Asian, Hispanic, African American, Christians, Jews, non-believers, young and older are no exception. Though coming from all walks of life they have one thing in common: they always notice the red string I wear around my left wrist and want to know, why.
I wear my crimson red string as a talisman; thought to have magical powers of protection and rewards of good luck. The custom of wearing the red string dates back to Genesis 38 and is worn to ward off misfortune. The tradition is popularly thought to be associated with Judaism's Kabbalah (the ancient Jewish tradition of mystical interpretation in the Bible) and the story of Rachel who gave to others and was blessed in return.
Behind every story there is a lesson and this is the lesson of the Red String.
IN ORDER TO BE BLESSED AND PROTECTED BY THE RED STRING YOU HAVE TO GIVE OF YOUR SELF, LIKE RACHEL.
My string is made from thin crimson wool thread and is worn as a bracelet on my left wrist with seven tiny knots. Seven is a lucky number in the Bible. It can never be removed. It falls off on its own accord.
Here are some questions friends and acquaintances ask me when they take notice of my Red String.
Do I have to be Jewish to wear a Red String?
Absolutely not! Madonna, Rosie O'Donnell, Ashton Kutcher, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Mick Jagger are a few people who come to mind that are not Jewish and wear the Red String!
Does it matter if I choose to wear the Red String on my right wrist?
Yes! The string should be tied onto your left wrist because the left side of our bodies is the receiving side... closest to the heart.
How long will my Red String stay on my wrist?
There is no timetable. My suggestion is to tie your string as tightly as you can around your left wrist because it will loosen over time. My string usually falls off a year later.
How can l find the Red String?
My Red Strings, several at a time, are purchased for a small donation from little old ladies who gather at the Wailing Wall in the old city of Jerusalem. I only wear string from Israel. You can buy them online.
Do you have an extra one to tie on my wrist?
I tie Red Strings on only my nearest and dearest.
I am reminded of a story. I was sitting at breakfast in Brussels, Belgium with my husband Shelly and three other couples, all close friends and from different countries in Europe. They noticed our Red Strings. Of course questions popped up and after answering them they all excitedly piped in at once...
"Do you have extras with you to tie around my wrist?"
All of them wanted to be blessed with good fortune! They clamored for the Red String.
I had enough with me as we had just returned from Israel. These were friendships of twenty years; so I genuinely felt happy as I watched them leave the breakfast table with their Red Strings tied tightly, by me with my personal blessing, around their left wrist!
How do you feel when you glance down and see your Red String?
I feel protected by something bigger. The rest of my feelings are very personal.
My close friends and family ask..."Will you send me another Red String when mine falls off?"
I smile when I tell you how I feel, darlings: I think I have become the 'The Red String Lady" for those people I cherish!
I am constantly receiving emails and texts that read: "My Red String fell off! I feel lost without it! Please overnight one to me!"
And, I do!
I just thought of the last string I sent to a first time wearer. She phoned me, "My kitchen flooded! I can't get the plumber or the contractor to keep their promises! This is an SOS: send me a Red String...OVERNIGHT!"
Do something GOOD today Darlings: Go online and buy Red Strings for yourself, your family and dearest friends.
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