--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Both Jews and Muslims believe that salt…" description: "\"“Both Jews and Muslims believe that salt protects against the evil eye. The Book of Ezekial mentions rubbing newborn infants with salt to protect them ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b90/mark-kurlansky-1988_books_both-jews-and-muslims-believe-that-salt_1182856.jpg" --- # Both Jews and Muslims believe that salt protects against… ![“Both Jews and Muslims believe that salt protects against the evil eye. The Book of Ezekial mentions rubbing newborn infants with salt to protect them from evil. The practice in Europe of protecting newborns either by putting salt on their tongues or by submerging them in saltwater is thought to…” quote by Mark Kurlansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b90/mark-kurlansky-1988_books_both-jews-and-muslims-believe-that-salt_1182856.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b90/mark-kurlansky-1988_books_both-jews-and-muslims-believe-that-salt_1182856.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b90/mark-kurlansky-1988_books_both-jews-and-muslims-believe-that-salt_1182856.jpg) > ““Both Jews and Muslims believe that salt protects against the evil eye. The Book of Ezekial mentions rubbing newborn infants with salt to protect them from evil. The practice in Europe of protecting newborns either by putting salt on their tongues or by submerging them in saltwater is thought to predate Christian baptism. In France, until the practice was abolished in 1408, children were salted until they were baptized. In parts of Europe, especially Holland, the practice was modified to placing salt in the cradle with the child.”” [Mark Kurlansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-kurlansky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Salt has been used across cultures as a protective ritual against evil forces, especially for newborns, predating Christian baptism practices. **In simple terms:** Salt used historically to ward off evil, especially for babies. Key Takeaway Recognize cultural roots of protective customs. Themes cultural practices rituals protection Mood reflective curious Type anthropological historical When to use this quote - newborn care - historical rituals - cross‑cultural studies Key Concepts folklore symbolism ritual purity Questions to Reflect On - How do ancient protective customs influence modern health beliefs? - What role does symbolism play in cultural rituals? A Different Perspective Modern health standards view such rituals as symbolic rather than effective. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Evil eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil-eye/) [Islam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/islam/) [Judaism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judaism/) ## Related quotes > [After many painful trials, which none can know, but those who are taught to relinquish a system in which they had been educated, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adoniram-judson/after-many-painful-trials-which-none-can-know-but-those-who-are/) [Adoniram Judson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adoniram-judson/) > [“We are bound to conclude, therefore, that the newness of the New Covenant cannot involve the elimination of the curse sanction as a component…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-kline/we-are-bound-to-conclude-therefore-that-the-newness-of-the-new/) Meredith Kline ## More by Mark Kurlansky > [“A 1670 revision of the criminal code found yet another use for salt in France. 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