A Thought On Parshas Shoftim
A Thought On Parshas Shoftim
The Torah warns us against seeking answers from the occult. We are told about the many forms of sorcery used by the nations, and how we are forbidden to inquire into their sources. Our verse enunciates that those ways are not given to our people by HaShem. The verse suggests, however, that other avenues were given the nations for accessing information about the universe. Many commentaries debate the precise meaning of this implication, and the Ralbag offers an approach of his own.
Our verse's context is that of our obligation to obey the words of the prophets who follow the Torah and guide us in its ways. The Ralbag explains that our gift, given to our people by HaShem, is that we have pious prophets who transmit the words of HaShem to us. This is the only avenue we have for accessing the Sublime, and enduring prophecy is a gift given solely to the Jewish people.
There is much information available within our cosmos. There may be other forms of accessing some of that information, as we learned in studying the saga of Bila'am. The Torah here has highlighted some of the unusual forms of picking up this information, by way of soothsaying, divination, sorcery, witchcraft and magic. Those who have a knowledge of those occult arts have nothing sacred, pious or holy going on. On the contrary, writes the Ralbag, the very fact that they turn to such strange tools and means for picking up cosmic data (such as bones, organic matter and dead artifacts) speaks to the lowliness and impurity of their practices. HaShem "appeased" the nations, the Ralbag says, by allowing some of them some ways of accessing some bits of information, such as being able to detect ominous signs or forecast select occurances. But their medium alone, that of the vulgar and the profane, is enough to discourage the Jew from turning to them and their practices. Ours is a higher road and a purer path.
The Torah directs the Jewish nation to turn solely to Torah scholars and sources in attempting to understand HaShem's ways and the Divine plan. This is HaShem's precious gift to His people. A Jew should avoid and take no interest in seeking any alternative. There is nothing sacred about the occult and there is nothing in it for the Jew.
This Parsha Thought is being written in the Holy City of Jerusalem. Wishing you a good Shabbos. D Fox
"...ki ha'goyim ha'eleh...v'atoh lo ken nosan lecha HaShem..."
"...for the nations follow sorcerers and magicians, but this is not what HaShem gives you..." (18:14)
The Torah warns us against seeking answers from the occult. We are told about the many forms of sorcery used by the nations, and how we are forbidden to inquire into their sources. Our verse enunciates that those ways are not given to our people by HaShem. The verse suggests, however, that other avenues were given the nations for accessing information about the universe. Many commentaries debate the precise meaning of this implication, and the Ralbag offers an approach of his own.
Our verse's context is that of our obligation to obey the words of the prophets who follow the Torah and guide us in its ways. The Ralbag explains that our gift, given to our people by HaShem, is that we have pious prophets who transmit the words of HaShem to us. This is the only avenue we have for accessing the Sublime, and enduring prophecy is a gift given solely to the Jewish people.
There is much information available within our cosmos. There may be other forms of accessing some of that information, as we learned in studying the saga of Bila'am. The Torah here has highlighted some of the unusual forms of picking up this information, by way of soothsaying, divination, sorcery, witchcraft and magic. Those who have a knowledge of those occult arts have nothing sacred, pious or holy going on. On the contrary, writes the Ralbag, the very fact that they turn to such strange tools and means for picking up cosmic data (such as bones, organic matter and dead artifacts) speaks to the lowliness and impurity of their practices. HaShem "appeased" the nations, the Ralbag says, by allowing some of them some ways of accessing some bits of information, such as being able to detect ominous signs or forecast select occurances. But their medium alone, that of the vulgar and the profane, is enough to discourage the Jew from turning to them and their practices. Ours is a higher road and a purer path.
The Torah directs the Jewish nation to turn solely to Torah scholars and sources in attempting to understand HaShem's ways and the Divine plan. This is HaShem's precious gift to His people. A Jew should avoid and take no interest in seeking any alternative. There is nothing sacred about the occult and there is nothing in it for the Jew.
This Parsha Thought is being written in the Holy City of Jerusalem. Wishing you a good Shabbos. D Fox
posted by Rabbi Dr. Fox at 8:10 AM
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