The Phoenix in Judaism

A Source Sheet for Jewish Witches and Witchy Jews filled with primary resources about the phoenix from Jewish teachings and traditions

Let’s talk about the Phoenix.  It’s mentioned once in the Tanakh - Job 29.18, although there is LOTS of debate if the word Chol (חול) means Phoenix, nest, sand, or something else. Where this line from Job is discussed in the Talmud, another word is used Avarshinah or Orshinah (אורשינה), and occasionally Milham bird.

The phoenix is said to achieved its immortality for several reasons - not bugging Noah during the flood, not eating from the forbidden tree when offered, etc.  

Beyond the single reference in Job, and discussions in the Talmud, there are a lot of Midrash and legends about the phoenix.  For example, in “Legends of the Jews” by Louis Ginzburg there is a story about how the phoenix is "the guardian of the terrestrial sphere” who poops sacred cinnamon (yes, really) and there is a story about how the phoenix ages in reverse and that the Angel of Death has no dominion over it.

There is also a hint or two that the idea of the phoenix has Egyptian origins, moved to Judaism and then on to Christianity and other cultures from there.

Table of Contents:

• Tanach, Talmud, and Commentaries

• Midrash

• Book Excerpts