Why Do Jews Spit?

And seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them: Ye brood of vipers, who hath shewed you to flee from the wrath to come? Mt.iii.vii.

Superstition of Spitting Three Times By Ariel Scheib

Many superstitions have been a part of Jewish life through the ages. One is to spit three times in reaction to something especially good or evil. This is done by literally spitting or figuratively by saying “pooh, pooh, pooh.” Over time the saying of “pooh, pooh, pooh” substituted spitting due to its offensive custom. The explanation for ‘three times’ is because the number three is considered mystical. Long ago, people used to deem odd numbers lucky. Considering three was the first odd number after the unit (one), many people judged it as a magical number.

Nobody truly knows where this custom of spitting initiated. Some scholars believe it originated from the Christian Bible and the miracles carried out through the saliva of Jesus.

Upon witnessing, listening, or discovering something shocking, it is customary for believers in this superstition to spit to prevent such a tragedy from occurring. Moreover, spitting is traditional at something marvelous to defend against the Evil Eye (spiritual ability to injure a person). It is believed that spitting will protect one from trickery or evil spirits.

You serpents, generation of vipers, how will you flee from the judgment of hell? mt.xxiii.xxxiii.