Q&A: Divination, the Ways of the Gentiles, etc.
Divination, the Ways of the Gentiles, etc.
Question
There is a therapeutic counseling method that uses cards (by Osnat Steinberg, called “Energetic Rehabilitation Cards: a kit for diagnosis and spiritual healing”), in which the cards are spread out face down and the person seeking advice randomly draws 2 cards: one card to diagnose the problem and a second card to determine the solution. Is this forbidden?
Thank you very much, and more power to you.
Answer
I don’t know. If this is a psychological matter, there is no problem. If not, then it probably simply won’t help, so why do it? I already mentioned the dispute among the medieval authorities (Rishonim) whether there is a prohibition regarding something that actually works in practice. According to Maimonides—no. So either way: if it works, go for it. And if not, then there’s no point to the question. Even aside from any prohibition, there’s no point in doing it.
Discussion on Answer
Indeed, there are those who disagree with him, and I am not among them. If I have a position, then I am not in doubt. The fact that there are other positions doesn’t affect me (at least when I have a position). See my article on autonomy and authority in halakhic ruling.
Hello again,
I really did try searching the site before asking the question, but I didn’t find anything.
It sounds from the Rabbi’s answer that there are those who disagree with Maimonides; if so, this is a Torah-level doubt, so one should rule stringently—so how can I be lenient here?
The Rabbi assumes 2 possibilities: either it works for me or it doesn’t. In this case there is a third possibility: not knowing whether it works.
Thank you very much, and have a pleasant day.