CCAR RESPONSA
Contemporary American Reform Responsa
155. The Fortune Teller
QUESTION: The congregation is going to have a “Hungarian Night Dinner Dance,” and some people have asked whether it would be permitted to have a fortune teller work there as an authentic Magyar touch. Is there anything in our tradition which would oppose this? (Rabbi L. Winograd, McKeesport, PA)
ANSWER: There are strong traditional negative statements about sorcery, witchcraft and fortune telling. They are based upon verses in Leviticus and Deuteronomy (Lev. 19.26; 31; Deut. 18.10, 11; as well as Ex . 22.17) . The prohibition includes soothsayers and fortune tellers of all kinds. There are numerous discussions in the Talmud (Hul. 7b; 95b; Ber. 33b; Shab. 75a, 152a; San. 65a ff; Pes. 113b; Ned. 32a, etc.). The matter is also treated in the various books of mitzvot, for example, sefr Hamitzvot (lo ta-aseh 8, 9, 31, 38), as well as by Maimonides’ Code (Yad Hil. Akum V’huqotehem 11.14 ff) and the Shulhan Arukh (Yoreh Deah 179). There are some modern discussions which are equally negative (Responsa Da-at Kohen 69). It has sometimes proven difficult to remain distant from superstitious practices of our non-Jewish neighbors, but the effort was always made. The medieval discussions are summarized by Berliner (Aus dem Leben der deutschen Juden im Mittelalter,pp. 84-104).
It is quite clear that tradition has strongly opposed using or consulting fortune tellers, witches, sorcerers, necromancers or anyone else who utilizes magic in order to deal with the future. It would be well, therefore, to avoid the inclusion of a fortune teller in the planned synagogue party. This might make the affair less authentic Hungarian, but more authentically jewish.
February 1984
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