The witch is dead. This statement holds a powerful significance in various contexts, often invoking a sense of relief, triumph, or even sadness. Throughout folklore, literature, and film, witches have been portrayed as mysterious and often malevolent figures, capable of casting spells, brewing potions, and causing harm. The idea of a witch dying, therefore, may signify the end of a threat or the restoration of peace and harmony in a community. In the famous fairy tale "The Wizard of Oz," the proclamation "the witch is dead" is joyfully exclaimed by the Munchkins upon the demise of the Wicked Witch of the East. This declaration represents the liberation of the Munchkins from her tyranny and the beginning of a new era.
God is a Man of war, God is His name. …
The GM sets a difficulty number for a task and a skill of the familiar, and they roll against it, and we had a good time discussing collectively what made sense together so everyone was pleased, and when it came to needing to randomize a couple of other factors in game that hadn t been included in the rules, I felt confident making up a mechanic improvising as well. The Witch Is Dead contains very strong language, but also a murder-revenge adventure and some eye-ripping, so maybe think about that before showing it to your kids.
This declaration represents the liberation of the Munchkins from her tyranny and the beginning of a new era. It illustrates the notion that the death of a witch can symbolize the triumph of good over evil and the possibility of a brighter future. Furthermore, the phrase "the witch is dead" can hold political connotations.
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
We are now in the final days of Pesach. The 7 th day of Pesach, as illustrated by the Torah reading for this day, commemorates the dramatic Splitting of the Red Sea.
Exactly one week after the Israelites left Egypt, they did not get very far before Pharaoh and his army followed them in hot pursuit. The Torah narrates how “It was told to the King of Egypt that the nation had fled. And they said, ‘What have we done that we sent Israel from serving us as slaves?’” Pharaoh mounts his chariot, and along with 600 of his top army men, recklessly give chase. Apparently 10 plagues were not enough for this masochistic bunch and they follow headlong into the splitting sea that ultimately comes crashing down on their heads, drowning the whole lot. A sad day for Yul Brynner indeed.
At issue is what exactly did this accomplish? The Israelites seemed to have successfully been redeemed already and it appears that God was merely playing with Pharaoh at this point. This is supported by the fact that the Torah narrates how God hardened Pharaoh’s heart to pursue the Israelites. Were the 10 plagues, culminating with the death of the first born, not enough to get the point across that God runs the show? The Jewish people were home free, why drag this out any longer?
Perhaps the key to understanding this is by noting the reaction of the people when they saw the dead Egyptians washed up on the seashore. What do they do? Why, they break out in spontaneous song. Yes, they suddenly all start singing like one big Broadway cast! They all come out from their positions of cowering fear, out of the bushes of Munchkinland, and begin to sing, “Ding Dong…”
I will sing to God because He is exalted above the arrogant
Horse and rider He has hurled into the sea. …
God is a Man of war, God is His name. …
Your right hand is glorified in strength,
Your right hand smashes the enemy.
In Your abundant greatness You shatter Your opponents
You send forth Your wrath and it annihilates them like straw.
There is a famous Midrash that says that God hushed the angels when they sang praises to Him upon the death of the Egyptians at this time. “My creations lay dying and you wish to sing praises to Me?” People often cite this Midrash to note that one should not be happy with the downfall of an enemy.
But this is not entirely true, because whereas the Midrash cites God’s disapproval with the angels, no such reaction is mentioned in the Torah when the Israelites happily sing upon witnessing the Egyptian corpses washed up on the shore. If fact this song is so special that it is incorporated into our daily prayers. We sing the same song every day!
In the book of Psalms, King David writes, “those who love God hate evil”. Yes, hate evil. Not indifferent, not kumbaya “Let’s all get along.” Hate. We are meant to have the highest negative emotion against evil. You see, angels don’t live in a world of free choice; they can only do what God commands of them. Indeed the Hebrew word for angel, malach means messenger and messengers don’t have freewill. They can only do what they are told – no more and no less. As such, angels don’t need to develop a sense of justice, of right versus wrong and good versus evil. It is not part of their world.
On the other hand, we humans who live in a world of good and bad and with free choice, must constantly choose to do what is just and good instead of what is unjust and evil. We need to develop a sense of good versus evil and recognize the corresponding consequences. Hence it is appropriate, necessary and even praiseworthy to denote when justice is done, and to rejoice in it. Granted, we wish that nobody would choose to do evil, but given that there will be those who indeed make destructive and bad choices, we must then appreciate when those efforts are thwarted – even to the point that we sing about it.
It has been reported recently that the sanctions the President Trump has taken against Iran are taking their toll on Israel’s enemies. Hezbollah no longer gets the same cash infusions from Iran. Their fighters are starting to go without, making it more difficult in their goal of destroying Israel. That should make us happy. That should make us want to sing. It is wonderful and joyful when those who wish our demise cannot carry out their plans.
Once again, it is our fervent wish and hope that nobody would be wiped out like Pharaoh and his ilk and indeed we remove some wine from our Seder cups at each plague to denote this. But at the same time, we still lift our glasses in celebration when our enemies are vanquished.
It is always unfortunate when any life is lost, but it is far worse if those, whose goals are evil and destructive, are allowed to flourish and continue. When they are stopped in their tracks it is always a reason for celebration.
Once there was a wicked witch in the lovely land of OZ
And a wickeder, wickeder, wickeder witch that never, ever was
She filled the folks in Munchkin Land with terror and with dread
Till one fine day from Kansas
A house fell on her head
And the coroner pronounced her, dead
And through the town the joyous news went running
The joyous news that the wicked old witch was finally done in
Ding Dong, the witch is dead
Which old witch?
The wicked witch
Ding Dong, the wicked witch is dead
In the realm of politics, a prominent or influential figure may be metaphorically referred to as a witch, especially if they are perceived as oppressive or corrupt. When such a figure falls from power or faces some form of downfall, the announcement that "the witch is dead" can serve as a symbolic representation of the end of their reign and, in some cases, the hope for a more just and equitable society. However, it is important to note that the statement "the witch is dead" can also evoke a sense of sadness or loss. Witches have been historically misunderstood and persecuted, often falling victim to witch hunts and discriminatory beliefs. In this context, the death of a witch may be a reflection of the unjust treatment they endured rather than a cause for celebration. Ultimately, the phrase "the witch is dead" carries a range of interpretations, depending on the context in which it is used. It can signify the triumph of good over evil, the liberation from tyranny and oppression, or even the tragic loss of a marginalized figure. Regardless of the particular meaning assigned to it, this statement continues to captivate our collective imagination and spark discussions about power, justice, and the human condition..
Reviews for "The Witch is Dead: Understanding the Psychology Behind the Fear of Witches"
1. John - 1 star: I was extremely disappointed with "The witch is dead". The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, jumping from one scene to another without any clear connection. The characters were poorly developed, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The acting was also subpar, with forced dialogue and unconvincing emotions. Overall, I found this movie to be a complete waste of time and would not recommend it.
2. Emily - 2 stars: I had high expectations for "The witch is dead", but it fell short in many aspects. The pacing was off, with slow moments that seemed to drag on and others that were rushed. The plot had potential, but the execution was lacking, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and confused. The cinematography was average, and I didn't find anything visually striking or innovative. The ending was also disappointing, leaving me with more questions than answers. I would say skip this one unless you're really into experimental and abstract films.
3. Jessica - 2 stars: "The witch is dead" had an interesting premise, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their struggles. The dialogue was also pretentious and unrealistic. The pacing was slow, and the movie seemed to meander without a clear direction. I appreciate unique storytelling, but this film felt disjointed and confusing. I was left feeling bored and disconnected throughout, and the ending didn't provide any satisfaction. Overall, it was a disappointing experience.
4. David - 1 star: I couldn't stand "The witch is dead". The movie tried too hard to be deep and meaningful, but it ended up being pretentious and convoluted. The symbolism was heavy-handed, and it felt like the director was more concerned with being artsy than creating an engaging story. The dialogue was filled with unnecessary philosophical ramblings, which made the characters feel fake and unrelatable. The lack of coherence and clear narrative structure left me frustrated and uninterested. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this film.