Staring at an Evil Person

Someone told me that it is forbidden to stare at an evil person. Please explain

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

One should indeed avoid staring at evil people. We are told that one who stares at evil people will cause his eyes to grow weak. While some limit this restriction to living people, some authorities include staring at pictures and statutes of such people, as well.

Some say the source for this teaching is from Yakov Avinu. We are told that Yaakov’s eyesight had gotten very weak in his old age, and some sources place the blame on him having looked at his wicked son, Esav, so often. We are told that even God Himself, so to speak, will not stare at an evil person.

Nevertheless, there is a big difference in halacha between “staring” and “looking.” For example, it is forbidden to stare at a rainbow, but it is permitted to take a quick look at it in order to be able to recite the blessing. The same is true with regards to the moon when reciting Kiddush Levana. As such, it is permitted to take a brief look at someone evil when needed.

It is taught that we should not stare at an evil person because a person’s spiritual “energy” is emitted from his face.  By staring at an evil person one might be affected by these negative “energies.” Likewise, staring at righteous individuals is said to be spiritually cleansing and beneficial in many ways. Indeed, staring at righteous people is said to be comparable to staring at the Shechina.

It is noted that the ban against staring at an evil person is not mentioned in the Rambam, Shulchan Aruch or any of the halachic codes. As such, not staring at an evil person is more of an act of piety than a halachic requirement.

Megilla 28a; Shabbat 104a; Sota 36b; Chagiga 56a; Beit Yosef, OC 229; Magen Avraham 225:20 Sefer Chareidim 45:5; Mishna Berura 128:89; 426:13; Sefer Chassidim 178.