Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
In this week’s Torah reading, the Torah prohibits using witchcraft and superstitious omens to predict the future and influence our decisions. The Torah despises these practices and says as follows: “For the nations that you will claim the land from (the Land of Israel) listen to psychics and sorcerers, and your God did not let you pursue such means.
Devarim 18:14-18
Why the Torah Rejects Fortune-Telling
Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz (in Da’as Torah) provides us with an interesting insight regarding this practice of turning to unnatural resources for guidance. In today’s modern world, such behavior is considered outdated and even foolish. In our society, we believe that the proper way of making decisions is by becoming educated in the field, doing research and using our own judgement. Making decisions based on fortune telling is considered immature at best, even if there were to be some validity to such a source of advice.
What the Ancients Understood That We Forget
However, while the Torah definitely frowns upon such practices of employing superstitious omens to influence our decisions in life, those who seek them are actually displaying an element of virtue. Today, we think that we are smart enough to make decisions ourselves, and that we are the best candidates to plan our moves. This is nothing short of sheer arrogance.
In ancient times, when it was common practice to base decisions upon supernatural components, these people were no fools. Man understood that there is a higher power that controls the world, and it is best to consult with the higher power and act upon that which they gleaned from doing so. Instead of believing in themselves as the most qualified to plan their future, they subjugated themselves to whatever higher power they believed controlled the world, and accepted its guidance over their personal opinions.
Our Choices Are Ours, but the Outcome Is God’s
And so, while the Torah prohibits incorporating superstitions omens and the like into our choices in life, nonetheless it is befitting for us to learn from the motives behind those who pursued them. Although God has granted us free choice to make our own decisions, ultimately the outcome is controlled by God, and our destiny is not in our hands. Instead of focusing on our own desires when making decisions in life, we are best off conforming our choices according to God’s will, the One who truly holds our destiny in His hands. We should seek the counsel of the Torah, by seeking advice from a qualified rabbi who is saturated with Torah wisdom and is equally adherent to its principles.
Another application of this outlook is: when we see that life is clearly taking us in a direction which is against our wishes, instead of dreading the situation and fighting it, we should realize that it was orchestrated by Heaven, and work to make the best of it. (At the same time, if one feels that his situation is hindering his service of God, he should definitely seek legitimate ways to improve the situation.)
Serving God When Life Doesn’t Go Our Way
Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk and Rabbi Zusha of Honipoli were once imprisoned on trumped up charges. Instead of a bathroom, they were provided with a smelly bucket in their small cell, which prohibited them from engaging in words of Torah or prayer. Rabbi Elimelech was distraught over the fact that they could not pray or study Torah. Rabbi Zusha got wind of Rabbi Elimelech’s sour mood and said to him, “You shouldn’t be upset. If this the situation we are in, this is where God wants us to be. Now we have the opportunity to serve Him by refraining from learning Torah and prayer.” Rabbi Elimelech perked up and they started to dance of joy over the merit of serving God in this manner in their current state. When the prison guard noticed their jubilation, he demanded to know what they were happy about, but they ignored the question and continued to dance. Then, the guard said, “Oh, you’re happy about the bucket!” and he snatched it away. And they were finally able pray and study Torah…
Free Will Doesn’t Mean We’re in Control
We all like to feel that we are in control of our lives. But the truth of the matter is – we are not. All we have is free will to choose right from wrong, based on our limited understanding, as we attempt to make the right decision in any given circumstance. The outcome is determined by the Almighty. For He knows best what is truly good for us, and He will see to it that everything will take place accordingly. We cannot know what is really best for ourselves. Our vision and understanding is very limited in this world, and we certainly do not have the power to actualize our plans. It is in our best interest to subjugate ourselves to the will of the Almighty and to follow His plan. Instead of trying to dictate the future, our focus should be only on choosing that which God desires of us. If we follow God’s plan instead of trying to implement our own, we are sure to be most successful in all of our endeavors in life.
By Rabbi Yitzchok Aryeh Strimber
