Translated
and adapted by Moshe-Yaakov Wisnefsky, for "The Chumash of the
Lubavitcher Rebbe"
The
purpose of divination is to predict the future in order to enable one
to choose the most effective course of action in the present. The Torah
forbids this because we are supposed to lead our lives according to
its laws, and not according to any notions we may have of what might
prove advantageous. In the "gray area" of life, i.e. those
issues about which there is no explicit directive from the Torah and
regarding which someone might be in doubt regarding what to do (for
example, what career to pursue, whom to marry, etc.) it is permissible
– and even advisable – to attempt to ascertain G-d’s
will through means that He himself has provided: as the Torah here describes,
we are allowed to consult bona fide prophets for this purpose, and ever
since the close of the era of prophecy, the inspired insight of reputable
sages of the Torah has taken their place. (Tanya, Igeret Hakodesh
22)
In
addition, there are many other permissible means available (some of
which were used even during the era of prophecy), such as dream interpretation,
bibliomancy, and so on. These techniques are too numerous and their
methodologies too complex to be detailed here, but their common denominator
is that they only be practiced under the guidance of a competent and
qualified rabbinic authority, so as to avoid any unwitting flirtation
with divination. (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 178-179. See
Chikrei Mingagim, vol.1, pp. 230-239)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Copyright 2001 chabad of california / www.lachumash.org
Rabbi
Moshe Yaakov Wisnefsky is a scholar, writer, editor and anthologist.
Originally from Los Angeles, he moved to Israel in 1977, and currently
lives in Jerusalem. While living in Tsfat, he was one of the three founders
of ASCENT in 1983.
