At the end of parashat Bo the Israelites are finally free and set forth out of Egypt. We are told that along with the Israelites came out an Erev Rav (Exodus 12:38), a “mixed multitude” of people that joined them. Rashi explains that these were non-Jews who wished to convert and become part of the Jewish people, having seen such great wonders and miracles. Ibn Ezra adds that they were mostly Egyptians, and Shadal (Rabbi Shmuel David Luzzatto, 1800-1865) says they were Egyptians that had intermarried with Jews. He proves it from Nehemiah 13:3, where the non-Jewish “erev” were separated out of the returning Jewish population. The Zohar (II, 291a) states that many of the Erev Rav were Egyptian magicians, witches, and wizards, who would perform their tricks in the erev ravrava, the “great evening”. The time between sunset and midnight is when the impure forces are most active, hence a “great evening” for those wicked people.

The Zohar teaches that God warned Moses not to accept the Erev Rav, for they would cause nothing but trouble. Moses had a hard time keeping them away and thought that perhaps they could be redeemed. Not surprisingly, God was right. The Erev Rav went on to cause mayhem both in the Exodus generation itself, and throughout Jewish history, until the present. As we shall see, they orchestrated the Golden Calf and the Midianite catastrophe, among other calamities. While the term “Amalek” is reserved for Israel’s external nemesis, the Erev Rav is the far more dangerous enemy from within. Of them the prophet Isaiah said “…those who destroy you and ruin you emerge from within you.” (Isaiah 49:17) Now, more than ever, we need to understand: Who is the Erev Rav? How can we identify them today? And, most importantly, how do we stop them?

The Sins and Methods of Erev Rav

When the Erev Rav came out of Egypt with the Israelites, they were not “Jewish” in any sense. However, the Israelites themselves were not officially “Jewish” yet either—though they were descendants of God’s chosen one, Abraham, and part of the covenantal tradition first forged with him. It was only when Israel stood at Mt. Sinai and witnessed the Divine Revelation, accepting the Torah upon themselves, that they officially inked a permanent Covenant with God and became a holy nation. The Erev Rav stood alongside them and participated in the Sinai Revelation, too, thus becoming part of that Covenant, at least nominally. Though they seemingly became “Jewish”, they still retained all of their old idolatrous and immoral ways. Soon after, they instigated the Golden Calf incident.

The Zohar cited above names the two Erev Rav leaders who cooked up the Golden Calf plot: Yunus and Yumbrus. They happened to be sons of the wicked sorcerer Bilaam. They sought to, subtly, convince the Jews to commit a horrific act of idolatry. The Arizal explains that their method was in manipulating people’s da’at, loosely translated as “knowledge” but referring to the deepest layers of the mind (see Sha’ar HaPesukim on Ki Tisa and Balak). They knew how to manipulate people psychologically. In fact, the Arizal points out that the numerical value of Erev Rav (ערב רב) is 474, equivalent to da’at (דעת)! Here we learn our first important point about the Erev Rav: they are masters of deception, subliminal messaging, and brainwashing.

The Torah tells us that 3000 people were executed for instigating the Golden Calf (Exodus 32:28). These were all men of the Erev Rav. However, the Erev Rav was not defeated. The Zohar (II, 45b) suggests that as many as a fifth of the populace that left Egypt was associated with the Erev Rav and influenced by them. This is one meaning for the Torah’s statement that chamushim ‘alu, which can be read as “a fifth ascended” (Exodus 13:18). The Zohar here also gives us a way to recognize when it is that the Torah speaks of the Erev Rav specifically: whenever the Torah says ‘am or ha’am (“the people”) by itself, it is referring to the Erev Rav. When the Torah speaks of ‘am Israel, or ‘ami (“My people”), Bnei Israel or Beit Yakov, then we can be sure that it is referring to the true Jewish people, not the Erev Rav imposters. Once we know this, we find that most of the cases where the Exodus generation inexplicably complained or rebelled against God was the ‘am, ie. the Erev Rav. This is why many of them even wanted to return to Egypt! (See Numbers 11:1-5, where they are also referred to as the asafsuf, in addition to ha’am.)

Years later, the Erev Rav instigated the horrendous sin with the Midianites. The chapter begins by stating that “Israel settled in Shittim, and ha’am started to profane themselves…” (Numbers 25:1) We see a clear contrast between Israel and “the nation”, ie. the Erev Rav. Keep in mind that, like with the Golden Calf, this sin of the Erev Rav was not done privately, but was paraded before everyone, “in the sight of Moses and the whole community of Bnei Israel…” (25:6) Again, the Torah distinguishes between the promiscuous Erev Rav and the true Bnei Israel who were sinless and shocked by the gross display. At the end, God sent a punishing plague that killed the 24,000 sinners. The Lubavitcher Rebbe taught that these 24,000 were linked with the Erev Rav (see Likkutei Sichot, Vol. IV, pg. 223).

We now see the two main sins that the Erev Rav is involved with: idolatry and sexual immorality. We find that the Erev Rav is not content to sin privately, but do so publicly, and inspire others to do the same through their corruption of people’s da’at. The Arizal taught that all the wicked “Jewish” leaders that arise in every generation are the reincarnated souls of the Erev Rav (Sha’ar HaGilgulim, Ch. 39). Worse yet, the Zohar (I, 25a) states that the Erev Rav will be particularly strong in the End of Days, with their final all-in push to corrupt the world and lead people astray (see also Tikkunei Zohar 144a). There is little doubt that we are in the End of Days now, so who is the Erev Rav today?

Who is the Erev Rav?

Our Sages teach that all Jews have three traits: they are reserved and modest, merciful, and kind (Yevamot 79a). The Rambam adds that a “Jew” who doesn’t have these qualities can be suspected of not being a real Jew! (Hilkhot Issurei Biah 19:17) Indeed, the Sages state that those apparent Jews who lack compassion and kindness, and are wealthy but refuse to help others, are of the Erev Rav (Beitzah 32a). The Zohar echoes this in saying the Erev Rav are corrupt wealthy people in leadership positions (III, 124b, Ra’aya Mehemna).

Elsewhere, the Zohar (I, 25a-b) goes in depth describing the five types of Erev Rav people, easily remembered by the acronym nega ra (נג״ע ר״ע), literally an “evil plague”. The nun stands for nephilim, “fallen ones”, for these Erev Rav are likened to the fallen angels first mentioned in Genesis 6:4, who were guilty of sexual sins—mating with the “daughters of man”. Next come the gibborim, “great ones”, compared to those conceited and narcissistic people that built the Tower of Babel. The third variety are the ‘anakim, “giants”, those that sow disorder in the community and in the world. The refa’im, literally “weak ones”, are those traitors and cowards who abandon or betray Israel. Finally, the ‘amalekim are those who side with Amalek, Israel’s arch-nemesis, and fill the world with hamas, “lawlessness” (as in Genesis 6:13). It is important to remember here that the greatest villains in the world are those with the spirit of Amalek, and such wicked people are found dispersed among the gentile nations, and are far more numerous than the Erev Rav. Having said that, the two collaborate and seek many of the same ultimate goals.

So, let us put it all together. The Erev Rav are those that appear to be Jewish leaders, but are imposters. They are not truly Torah observant and, on the contrary, push godless ideas. They are “leaders” that guide Jews astray, and inspire the misinterpretation or transgression of Torah law. They tend to be wealthy and corrupt, or in influential positions, instigating disorder and division. With these qualities in mind, it isn’t too difficult to identify who the Erev Rav is. You can find such individuals across the social, political, and religious spectrum.

And don’t think for a moment that the Orthodox Jewish world is immune to the Erev Rav. We’ve all seen, for instance, those supposedly religious Jews who march alongside genocidal Hamas and Iran (it’s one thing to be anti-Zionist, it’s a whole other thing to collaborate with terrorists who murder innocent Jewish civilians—these are the traitorous refa’im and ‘amalekim that the Zohar above speaks of). We’ve all seen those supposed religious leaders caught red-handed in a variety of despicable scandals. We’ve seen the terrible crimes and hillul Hashem of shameless rapists and abusers within the community (the nephilim of the Zohar above, who abuse the “daughters [and sons] of man”). Granted, there are people who tragically succumb to sin and temptation, and not every such sinner is automatically “Erev Rav”, but when respected leaders in the public eye engage in such debase conduct continuously, with no remorse (and often no condemnation from their colleagues, who might even protect the perpetrators), then we know exactly who they are. Keep in mind that the Erev Rav is not ashamed to air their sins publicly.

Shockingly, the Divrei Chaim (Rabbi Chaim Halberstam of Sanz, 1793-1876) wrote that “Before the coming of Mashiach many of the rabbanim will be from the Erev Rav…” (see his comments on Vayak’hel, although, of course, it is typically censored out in many modern republications). These rabbanim are often the ones with a “holier-than-thou” attitude, but are only hungry for “honour and money”. They collect millions in “donations” while their devoted followers struggle financially. They manipulate halakhah to ensure they maintain complete power and control. They are the so-called gibborim and ‘anakim of the Zohar. (In the same Ra’aya Mehemna page cited above, the Zohar even accuses the Erev Rav “rabbis” with using their extensive knowledge of issur v’heter tumah v’tahara, what’s “forbidden and permissible, impure and pure” to make their followers totally dependent on them! They make a living this way, using Torah for profit, drawing money from the ignorant and innocent masses.) Don’t forget that the Erev Rav are experts at exploiting da’at and brainwashing their followers, blinding them from the truth, so much so that their followers will defend the evil actions of their “dear leaders”.

Like in ancient times, the Erev Rav might employ magic and sorcery to convince people of their greatness, and their unsuspecting followers easily confuse these kochot hatumah, impure powers, with genuine kedushah, which has no room for godless superstition, fortune-telling, “quick-fix” amulets, and made-up “segulot”. All of this is just another trick in the Erev Rav suitcase. Divrei Chaim warns that each person must make sure to associate only with “those who truly serve, who sacrifice themselves to Hashem, not in order to receive any personal benefit.” Unfortunately, there isn’t a lack of people out there today claiming to be a rav, when they are in fact a part of the Erev Rav.

Finally, it is important to clarify here that the Erev Rav always purport to be Jewish leaders representing Judaism and knowing all about God. Like Yunus and Yumbrus who pointed to the Golden Calf and said: eleh elohekha Israel, “These are your gods, o Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt!” (Exodus 32:4) Sometimes people mistake wayward secular leaders—who just happen to be Jewish or were born Jewish—for the Erev Rav. Such leaders are not truly Erev Rav and are usually just disconnected Jews, what we might call a tinok sh’nishba, a Jewish child raised in ignorance who doesn’t know any better. Such people are easy victims of the Erev Rav, and may end up professing Erev Rav ideas or unwittingly helping to perpetuate the ideology out of their ignorance. Similarly, a Jewish person who is a proud atheist and denies the existence of anything spiritual or supernatural at all, and openly opposes Torah and Judaism is not Erev Rav. Remember, the Erev Rav place themselves as representatives of Judaism, not opponents or critics of Judaism.

Erev Rav and Antisemitism

While there is undoubtedly a lot of plain-old hatred and bigotry out there—along with a wealth of absurd conspiracy theories about Jews—if you examine antisemitism today, it is often an attack not on the average well-meaning and God-fearing Jew, but on the Erev Rav leaders. The problem is that the antisemite is unable to differentiate between Jews at all, so the rage is displaced upon the wrong people. This is why it is imperative for Jews ourselves to confront the Erev Rav and oppose them as much as possible. It is vital to dissociate from any supposed “Jewish” organization that is advocating on behalf of Erev Rav ideas: those rooted in all kinds of idolatries and superstitions, cult-like behaviour, and godlessness; those guilty of sexual misconduct or promoting sexual confusion (which can manifest itself in a variety of unhealthy ways, both on the extreme left and the extreme right). It needs to be made abundantly clear to the world that none of these ideas have any place in authentic Judaism, and true Jews have nothing to do with them.

In this generation, we cannot be silent. Every Jew must stand up and speak out. There may be hesitancy to say something because the world is so sensitive, and no one wants to “trigger” another, nor does anyone wish to be “cancelled”. In reality, this is all the more reason to speak out because the Erev Rav knows how to silence dissent. Remember, their power is in manipulating da’at, and they know how to infiltrate the minds of the public.

It is important to reiterate that many well-meaning Jews may have succumbed to the Erev Rav ideology—but they are only victims and followers. They can be reached out to, informed, and brought back to the path of truth and goodness. It is the dangerous minority of crooked Erev Rav leaders that need to be stopped. When their temples and “shuls”, classrooms, organizations and corporations are empty of followers, they will lose their power. When their inappropriate content is no longer consumed, they will stop producing it. When their godless teachings are ignored, they will stop relaying them. We must all do our part in separating from anything that even remotely resembles the Erev Rav, and ensure our financial contributions don’t end up in their hands. Any time you make a donation, make sure you know exactly where the money is going, and who is at the head of that particular organization, school, synagogue, or “non-profit”.

We must speak up at every opportunity to save our fellow Jews (and gentiles) who may have been led astray. We mustn’t fear that it will fall on deaf ears or that it will be “offensive”. God commanded us to “rebuke your fellow and do not bear a sin because of him.” (Leviticus 19:17) On that note, I think we should stay positive and, like Moses, believe that there’s hope even for the Erev Rav themselves, who can still repent and rectify their souls. After all, we are taught that the gates of repentance are never closed to anyone.

Before we conclude, it is vital to repeat the qualities of the Erev Rav and how exactly to identify them. This is particularly important because throughout history, “Erev Rav” has been used as a slur to label just about anyone. Those on the right used it against those on the left, and those on the left against those on right. Orthodox used it against Reform, and Reform against Orthodox. The Shabbatean heretics of the 17^th and 18^th centuries were particularly fond of calling all their opponents the “Erev Rav”, while their opponents simultaneously referred to Shabbateans as the Erev Rav! The reality is that there is no one specific group that is officially the “Erev Rav”, so we must not lose sight of the framework provided by Chazal and the Zohar for identifying the true Erev Rav: They are frequently like nephilim that are guilty of sexual misconduct or of promoting various sexually improper behaviours. They are not your average Jews, quietly trying to live a good life and serve Hashem (even if they may be a little “off-the-derekh” at the moment), but specifically gibborim who are in leadership positions. They are ‘anakim who seek control, authority, and honour; ever-hungry for more and more money, usually drawn from the unsuspecting public. They are refa’im that weaken the Jewish people, sowing more divisions among us, building walls instead of building bridges. And they are ‘amalekim that collaborate with our enemies or those who seek us harm. This could be indirect, too, such as by stoking the fires of antisemitism and Jew-hatred, through hillul Hashem and public displays of sin and corruption. Like the original Erev Rav of whom they are spiritual descendants, they may be linked to idolatry and “magical powers”, real or symbolic. Most of all, they spread misinformation and manipulate da’at, ultimately pushing people away from God and away from true Torah observance. This may be the case even if they are halakhically punctilious and claim to be acting for the sake of Torah. Remember, the Erev Rav always claim to be “religious” and “spiritual”, Jewish leaders. It is of them that God declared: v’tofsei haTorah lo yeda’uni, “and the ‘guardians of the Torah’ don’t know Me!” (Jeremiah 2:8)

Finally, we should know that the Erev Rav will soon disappear. The Zohar cites the prophecy of Zechariah 13:2 as referring to the end of the Erev Rav, those “false prophets” of the “unclean spirit”, who will be extinguished once and for all:

And on that day—declares the God of Hosts—I will erase the very names of the idols from the land; they shall not be uttered any more. And I will also make the false prophets and the unclean spirit vanish from the land…

---

The above essay is excerpted from Garments of Light, Volume Three.
Get the book here!