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Q&A: Segulah-Based Medicine in Maimonides

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This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.

Segulah-Based Medicine in Maimonides

Question

Hello Rabbi,
In lesson number 17 on YouTube about mysticism, the Rabbi cites Maimonides’ words in tractate Yoma regarding segulah-based medicine.
I saw that in the edition that appears on the Sefaria website there is a slightly different wording:
“And the Jewish law does not follow Rabbi Matya ben Heresh in this, for he permits feeding a person the liver of a mad dog when he was bitten, because this is effective only by way of segulah. And the Sages hold that one does not override the commandments except for medical treatment alone, that is, with things that heal by nature, and this is a true matter established by reason and by experience close to the truth. But to be healed by things that heal through their segulah is forbidden, because their power is weak, not deriving from reason, and their verification by experience is remote, and it is a weaker claim than that of one who errs. Know this principle and remember it, for it is a great principle.”
It seems to me, from this wording, that the claim about segulah-based medicine being “a weaker claim than that of one who errs” implies that Maimonides holds that these remedies do not really have any substance. Likewise, when he says, “because their power is weak, not deriving from reason, and their verification by experience is remote,” apparently the intention is that the ability to prove the effectiveness of the treatment is remote, and therefore according to Maimonides it is reasonable to say that this kind of medicine has no real substance. Consequently, according to his view this kind of treatment would be forbidden on the Sabbath.
What does the Rabbi think?

Answer

I noted this in the lesson. The Birkei Yosef understood it differently, and in my opinion he is right. Maimonides is not saying that there is nothing to it, only that it does not derive from experience and science. Its healing power comes from segulah.
By the way, it seems to me that this is actually exactly the version we have before us. I didn’t notice any difference.

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