Spirituality

Torah Portion

Superstition, Sorcery, Magic
Are Forbidden By The Torah

who are wise and have full under-
standing, know through clear proofs
that all these things that the Torah
prohibits are not wisdom, but rather
nonsense and worthless; that those
without sense are drawn to this and
it causes them to forsake that which
n this week's Torah portion,
is true, and that is why the Torah
we read that Abraham's slave is
forbids them."
sent to find an appropriate
Of course, defining "superstition"
wife for his master's son, Isaac.
is not so simple. One may be
When he comes to Abraham's
inclined to say it means "something
ancestral home where he was sent, he
the other guy believes, and I know is
devises a stratagem to find the "right
nonsense; but what I believe is real."
woman."
Suffice it to say that any
In previous Torah por-
attempt to control God or
tion articles, I have written
events that are beyond nor-
about this "test" to find the
mal human control is
woman whose character was
"superstition" or "magic."
one of helpfulness and
Anything that mitigates
kindness even to the
our ultimate absolute
stranger, but there is anoth-
dependence on God alone
er possible side to this plan.
is not acceptable. And yet,
There are those commen-
how many of us use reli-
taries and (possibly) even
gious rituals in just such a
the Talmud (Hulin 95B)
" magical" way, as protec-
RABBI
that indicate that such a
tion
from (God forbid)
ELIEZER
"test" is a form of divina-
tragedy,
misfortune and
COHEN
tion, sorcery or magic and
trouble
—
like a charm or
Special to the
thus prohibited by the
amulet?
Jewish News
Torah (Deuteronomy 18:9-
And how else can one
14).
characterize the cyclical
This is so particularly if
repetition of "formulas" (found in
the slave relied solely on the "test" to
the prayer book) that one doesn't
make his selection and did not even
even begin or attempt to understand,
inquire as to the woman's identity
as if they were some kind of incanta-
until after he had made his decision,
tion?-
as the verses seem to indicate
Judaism (as Maimonides tells us)
(Genesis 24:21-24).
is a religion of wisdom and under-
In fact, Maimonides rules
standing — probably the most intel-
(Mishnah Torah "Avoda Zora" 11:4):
lectual of all religions. To "do it"
"One may not engage in magic as do
properly requires study and, above
the idolaters ... and similarly one
all, understanding.
who makes 'signs' for himself if such
Our acts and observances, our rit-
and such happens to me I will do
uals and rites, are supposed to influ-
thusly ... like Eliezer the slave of
ence and change us — not God.
Abraham ..."
Anything else is "superstitious non-
Jews are prohibited from engaging
sense and magic," which is not toler-
in such practices as fortune-telling,
ated by real Judaism — let alone
so-called psychic phenomena, magic
identified with it. ❑
or any superstitious practice for that
matter.
And Maimonides is very clear
about such practices (Mishnah Torah
"Avodah Zorah" 11:16):
Why is it so comforting to
"These things are all falsehood
engage in superstitious and
and lies ... it is not fitting for Jews,
magic thinking? In what ways do
who are wise, to be drawn to such
Jews sometimes make "magical"
nonsense and they should not think
use of their religion? How can
that they serve a [real] purpose ... He
we be truly religious without
who believes in these and similar
being superstitious? Why has real
things and thinks in his heart that
intellectual understanding often
they are true and wise, but the Torah
taken a back seat to folklore and
simply forbids them [anyway], are
fantasy in our practice of
fools and lack sense ... But those
Judaism?

Shabbat Chaye Sarah:
Genesis 23:1-25:18; I
Kings 1:1-31.

4460 OrchortLeake %dd. cigestcBloonzfield 7i 46323

Continue Your Lifest T lp

Local Fine Arts and Dining Excursions
Health and Beaut y Salon

Wellness Center with Aerobic Pool
Card and Game Lounges

Transportati On Available.

Assistin g Your Lifestyle

Emergency Call S ystems
Licensed Nurses 24/7

ai cations Management

Memory Impairment Regent Plus

Assisted Living

Suites and Studio Accommodations

WWW.REGENTSTREETOFWESTBLOOMFIELD.COM

It carries a sofa
without driving like one.

PEOPLE WHO TEST DRIVE A SAAB
USUALLY BUY ONE

Turbo charged engine standard.
No charge scheduled maintenance.
SAAB active head restraint.
Head and chest side air bags, Onstar.

People who test drive a Saab usually buy one.

Conversations

Available for
qualified buyers.

*Based on GMS pricing. 48 mo./10,000 miles per year with approved credit. 20( per mile over. 2002 SAAB 95 Wagon MSRP $38,215
(Includes destination with Oldsmobile owner loyalty.) 0% APR SFSC financing length of contact is limited.

n Telegraph Road
At The Tel-12 Mall,
Southfield, MI 48034

2002

76

AA

1-888-306-5188

Mon. & Mors. 9-9
Tues., Wed., & Fri 9-6
Sat. I0.4

Eliezer Cohen is rabbi of Congregation

Or Chadash.