Q&A: Reiki
Reiki
Question
Hi,
I suffer from clinical depression. Episodes come and go at different levels of intensity. I’m being treated with medication, but the side effects make things hard for me, and I’ve tried quite a wide range of medications. My parents very much want me to go for “Reiki” treatment. I’m not interested and I’m not a big believer in alternative medicine, but they are invoking the commandment of honoring parents against me. I’m looking to object to them on halakhic grounds as well, and indeed I saw that Rabbi Zilberstein prohibits it, but they do not see him as an authority because, in their view, a Haredi rabbi is not open to the world and obviously forbids everything.
What do you think about such a treatment? Is there a halakhic prohibition?
Answer
I’m not familiar with it. But even aside from any prohibition, there is no obligation at all to obey your parents in choosing a course of treatment. When it comes to something that affects you, you are the one who decides. Still, if you don’t believe in it, but it doesn’t cause harm, then what do you care about trying? Beyond that, if you don’t want this treatment, then it would be worth looking into other options. Staying like this is really not right, even apart from the issue of honoring parents.
I just now saw a responsum by Rabbi Cherlow: https://he-il.facebook.com/RabbiCherlow/photos/%D7%A9%D7%9C%D7%95%D7%9D-%D7%94%D7%A8%D7%91-%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%9C%D7%95-%D7%90%D7%A0%D7%99-%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%A7%D7%A9%D7%AA-%D7%9C%D7%93%D7%A2%D7%AA-%D7%9E%D7%94-%D7%A2%D7%9E%D7%93%D7%AA%D7%9A-%D7%91%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%A9%D7%90-%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%99%D7%A7%D7%99-%D7%90%D7%A0%D7%99-%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%94-%D7%A9%D7%A2%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%AA-%D7%A2%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%A9%D7%90%D7%9C%D7%94-%D7%94%D7%96%D7%90%D7%AA-/1974133289314796/
And there’s more online.
If I may comment on what the questioner wrote (just a recommendation that might be helpful) — in cases of depression it is very worthwhile to seek treatment using a cognitive-behavioral approach. The method gives tools for coping with depressive thoughts and behaviors, and it shows quite a few success rates compared to other methods (such as psychodynamic therapy).
As far as I know, the Reiki method is not supported by serious studies, so it may be worth considering cognitive-behavioral therapy (C.B.T.) together with the pills. You can receive a series of treatments with subsidy from the health fund.