Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Leviticus 19:31 mean when it says not to turn to mediums or wizards?
A: Leviticus 19:31 prohibits seeking guidance or information from mediums ('ovot') and wizards ('yiddeonim'), who claim to communicate with the dead or predict the future. According to Rashi and Rambam, this is forbidden because it denies trust in Hashem and can lead to spiritual impurity (tumah). The Torah emphasizes that we should rely only on Hashem for guidance.
Q: Why is consulting mediums or wizards considered spiritually defiling?
A: The Torah (Leviticus 19:31) states that seeking out mediums or wizards leads to spiritual defilement (tumah) because it involves engaging with forces contrary to Hashem's will. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 65b) explains that these practices are rooted in deception and idolatry, distancing a person from true divine connection. Trusting in such methods undermines emunah (faith) in Hashem.
Q: How does the prohibition against mediums apply today?
A: Today, the prohibition includes avoiding psychics, fortune-tellers, or any form of occult practices. The Rambam (Hilchos Avodah Zarah 11:16) teaches that these are false and forbidden. Instead, Jews should seek guidance through tefillah (prayer), Torah study, and consulting righteous Torah scholars (talmidei chachamim).
Q: What is the significance of the phrase 'I am the Lord your God' at the end of this verse?
A: The declaration 'I am the Lord your God' reinforces that Hashem alone is the true source of wisdom and guidance. Rashi explains that this reminds us to place our trust solely in Him, not in supernatural intermediaries. The Sifra (a halachic Midrash) adds that this phrase emphasizes that Hashem watches over us and knows what is truly best for us.
Q: Are there any exceptions where consulting a medium would be permitted?
A: No, the Torah strictly forbids consulting mediums or wizards under any circumstances. The Rambam (Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Avodah Zarah 11:4) states that even if someone claims to receive accurate information through these means, it is still prohibited because it violates Torah law and leads a person away from true faith in Hashem.
Prohibition Against Consulting Ovot and Yiddeonim
The verse (Vayikra 19:31) prohibits seeking out Ovot (mediums) and Yiddeonim (wizards), warning against defilement through such practices. Rashi explains that an Ov is a necromancer who conjures the dead, while a Yiddeoni is a soothsayer who speaks through a bone or object in their mouth (Rashi on Vayikra 19:31). The Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 11:16) categorizes these practices as forms of idolatry, emphasizing their deceptive nature.
Spiritual Defilement and Divine Authority
The phrase "לְטָמְאָה בָהֶם" (to be defiled by them) underscores that engaging with occult practices brings ritual impurity. The Sifra (Kedoshim 6:7) teaches that such actions distance a person from kedushah (holiness) and contradict the foundational principle of "אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם" (I am Hashem your God). This reaffirms that true guidance comes only from Hashem, not supernatural intermediaries.
Torah's Rationale for the Prohibition
Contemporary Application
While modern occult practices may differ in form, the principle remains: Jews are forbidden to consult psychics, astrologers, or any method claiming to reveal hidden knowledge outside Torah-sanctioned means (e.g., prophecy or ruach hakodesh). The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 179) extends this prohibition to all forms of divination, reinforcing reliance on tefillah and Torah wisdom instead.