In Jewish folklore, an evil spirit or a doomed soul, which (which) takes possession of the bodily shell of this or that person, begins to speak through his lips, causes him torment and pain, accompanying the manifestation of another personality. Such evil spirits have figured in Judaism since time immemorial, but they were called "ibbur" (spirits) until the 17th century. Around this period, the word "dybbuk" migrated from the language of German and Polish Jews. In fact, this is an abbreviated version of two phrases: dibbuk me-ru'ah ("splitting an evil spirit") and dibbuk min ha-hizonim ("dibbuk from the land of demons").
In ancient folklore, it was believed that dibbuki take possession only of the bodies of sick people. Such spirits are mentioned in the Old Testament ("Samuel" I), which describes the mastery of Saul and the expulsion of the spirit by David by playing the harp. There is also mention of the angel Raphael teaching Tobias how to cast out spirits. According to the literature of the 1st century rabbis, exorcism requires burning some roots under the sacrifice, and then surrounding the latter with water. Other ways include spells in the name of Solomon, chanting the name of the Most High, reading psalms, and wearing amulets made from certain roots.
By the 16th century, views on the introduction of evil spirits into people had changed. Many Jews believed that spirits are transmigrating souls that cannot enter a new bodily shell due to their past sins, and therefore are forced to enter the bodies of living people. Moreover, the spirits were involuntarily forced to enter the physical shells of people, otherwise they were tortured by other evil spirits. Some believed that the dibbuki were the souls of people who did not receive a proper burial and therefore turned into demons.
The Kabbalah, a collection of medieval esoteric and mystical writings of the Jews, contains many descriptions of various kinds of rituals and instructions for the expulsion of the dibbuk, some of which were used in practice in the 20th century. The exorcism should be performed by a specially trained rabbi (ba'al shem). It is believed that depending on the way in which the exorcism is carried out, either the deliverance of the dibbuk is achieved (through the atonement of sins), or it is exiled to hell. Typically, the dybbuk exits its victim's body through a small toe, where a tiny bleeding wound appears. It is by its presence that one can determine whether the spirit has left or not.