HAMSA

Well, then, perhaps you’re wrong about the “pashtus”, that there is any pre-Jewish pagan meaning for the same thing being discussed, and the many Tzaddikim and Mekubalim are right.

(Btw, there’s an old thread about this: http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/hamsa )

Shlishi: It exists in Arab cultures, Indian (as in India) cultures, Native American cultures, and possibly more. Some of those go very, very far back. Jewish references, not so much. That doesn’t prove anything, but it does raise questions.

YehudaTzvi, did you follow that link to the old thread that has a link to the Ben Ish Chai? He’s a pretty reliable person.

He first quotes different psukim and gemaras that can be said if one is at risk of ayin hara, such as “ana mizar’ah d’Yosef kaatinah. Ben porat Yosef, ben porat aley ayin.” Then, he quotes the Chid”a that says the minhag haolam is to say “hamsa” to ward off ayin hara, and then he says that’s why the minhag is to hang a piece of wood shaped like a hand with five fingers with the letter “Hay” inscribed on it.

Yehuda Tzvi, on a side note, I read once (forgot where) that the red string is supposed to ward off ayin hara by resembling a worm and letting those who see it think of the wearer’s lowliness and prevent jealousy that causes ayin hara. If that’s the only reason it supposedly works then I don’t get it because nobody knows this interpretation of the red string.

In regards to your hamsa. I’m no posek, but it seems to me since it has Hashem’s name on it you can’t discard it without treating it as shaimos. If you really like how it looks, and have a huge desire to hang it up, from the sources you quoted it sounds like it’s mutar. Otherwise, why not just give it away to a nice Sphardi family who will make good use of it?