Judaism and Baby Showers: So You're Going to Have a Baby... Shower?

Many cultures are loaded with superstitions covering just about any subject and Judaism is no exception. Many of our Jewish superstitions revolve around warding off evil spirits by saying pooh, pooh, pooh, knocking on wood, pulling on our ear, putting salt in the corners of a room or closing an open book.

A host of superstitions revolve around Jewish babies; their names, and the infamous baby shower.

It's true that in many Jewish communities, baby showers are frowned upon. Many Jews avoid baby showers (and even avoid purchasing clothes or furniture for the baby before the baby is born) out of fear that bringing attention to an unborn baby might cause something bad to happen to the baby or the mother. This superstition stems from the notion of the evil eye or ayin hara.

Still, it's important to remember that this is a superstitious tradition, not Jewish law. According to halacha (Jewish law), there is nothing wrong with a couple enjoying a baby shower with all the trimmings!

So, whether you welcome gifts into your home before or after your little one arrives, here are some of our favorite Jewish baby gifts.