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Ask JTF For March 25 Broadcast
Maccabi:
This is sort of a long question about Moses, magic, sorcery & miracles...So maybe you can just read it over and offer me some insight into the matter:
What do you think about magic (the art of illusion)? Is it wrong to do illusions for fun? (I know some basic illusions...making little things disappear etc...)
It seems like Moses performed magic or used magic. I know the rod was said to be magical. I'm a little confused here...So magic is only to be used by prophets if it is ascribed to G-d? Also, did Moses only do magic with the rod? I do believe that the parting of the Red Sea happened and was an awesome miracle.
But when I hear of things like the rod turned into a serpant, I am curious. Are we supposed to believe all this? For another example, Solomon's ring. And are we to believe Solomon really had a magic carpet?
If I recall, sorcerery is forbidden in the Bible. Figures like 'Merlin' in pagan lore used sorcery and could seem like an abomination by Biblical standards, yet the Bible makes use of magic in the narrative a few times.
Are we to consider popular trends like 'Harry Potter' abominable as this would be inspiring kids to sorcery? (BTW I can't stand the whole Harry Potter thing)
One of the things I like about Judaism is the use of prophecy mixed with actual historical events to give us logical faith in G-d...And to therefore accept his laws.
I guess I am a little confused as to when magic is ok, and when it isn't. Are we supposed to believe in magic? Or just miracles? or both? Or is there a difference?
Do we say, ok it's magic from G-d, or just an extraordinary event performed with the aid of a human agent(s) such as the Six-Day War which had help from G-d...Or could some of it be an art that was taught to the people who performed it, or maybe some 'secret technology'. Or maybe it is a little of both...human work and struggle assisted by G-d?
Do you think Moses studied sorcery? Moses was raised as an Egyptian prince, and magic arts were probably very common at the time. He probably knew all the tricks of the best magicians due to his wealth and influence.
Hopefully this isn't an offensive question. Of course Moses accomplished great things. Obviously the revelation at Sinai was divine. I am just curious about the 'magical' aspects of the story. What is the Jewish views on magic?
Mishmaat:
Chaim,
1. Was the name Martin a pseudonym that Rabbi Meir Kahane, ZT"L, used?
2. I don't know if this is an appropriate question to ask you. You're not exactly a fan of the blacks. Anyway, I kind of have feelings for this girl. She's half-black and Jewish. Her mother's an Ashkenazi Jew, making her Jewish under halacha. She's not exactly religious and her family is quite liberal. I would describe them as a typical upper-middle class family from Manhattan. Despite some clear differences I do feel there is some chemistry between us. Her mother wants to take us both to the Museum of Modern Art next week. I don't exactly have the social skills of a Chaim Ben Pesach. I tend to clam up easily under certain situations. I know you've been on dates before. I'd like to ask this girl out on a date. Do you have any advice or pointers?
You're a gentleman and a scholar.
Kol tuv.
Lewinsky Stinks, Dr. Brennan Rocks:
--- Quote from: MackaB on March 23, 2007, 04:20:51 PM ---This is sort of a long question about Moses, magic, sorcery & miracles...So maybe you can just read it over and offer me some insight into the matter:
What do you think about magic (the art of illusion)? Is it wrong to do illusions for fun? (I know some basic illusions...making little things disappear etc...)
It seems like Moses performed magic or used magic. I know the rod was said to be magical. I'm a little confused here...So magic is only to be used by prophets if it is ascribed to G-d? Also, did Moses only do magic with the rod? I do believe that the parting of the Red Sea happened and was an awesome miracle.
But when I hear of things like the rod turned into a serpant, I am curious. Are we supposed to believe all this? For another example, Solomon's ring. And are we to believe Solomon really had a magic carpet?
If I recall, sorcerery is forbidden in the Bible. Figures like 'Merlin' in pagan lore used sorcery and could seem like an abomination by Biblical standards, yet the Bible makes use of magic in the narrative a few times.
Are we to consider popular trends like 'Harry Potter' abominable as this would be inspiring kids to sorcery? (BTW I can't stand the whole Harry Potter thing)
One of the things I like about Judaism is the use of prophecy mixed with actual historical events to give us logical faith in G-d...And to therefore accept his laws.
I guess I am a little confused as to when magic is ok, and when it isn't. Are we supposed to believe in magic? Or just miracles? or both? Or is there a difference?
Do we say, ok it's magic from G-d, or just an extraordinary event performed with the aid of a human agent(s) such as the Six-Day War which had help from G-d...Or could some of it be an art that was taught to the people who performed it, or maybe some 'secret technology'. Or maybe it is a little of both...human work and struggle assisted by G-d?
Do you think Moses studied sorcery? Moses was raised as an Egyptian prince, and magic arts were probably very common at the time. He probably knew all the tricks of the best magicians due to his wealth and influence.
Hopefully this isn't an offensive question. Of course Moses accomplished great things. Obviously the revelation at Sinai was divine. I am just curious about the 'magical' aspects of the story. What is the Jewish views on magic?
--- End quote ---
Macka, all real sorcery (that is going beyond optical illusions and tricks) is witchcraft and satanic. The Law demands that the Jewish people not permit a sorcerer or witch to live. The magic you speak of with Moses wasn't "magic" at all but manifestations of God's miraculous and infinite power.
Lewinsky Stinks, Dr. Brennan Rocks:
--- Quote from: Yirmiyahu on March 23, 2007, 06:08:39 PM ---2. I don't know if this is an appropriate question to ask you. You're not exactly a fan of the blacks. Anyway, I kind of have feelings for this girl. She's half-black and Jewish. Her mother's an Ashkenazi Jew, making her Jewish under halacha. She's not exactly religious
--- End quote ---
Greetings Yirmiyahu,
I'm not Chaim, but know exactly what he'd say. Chaim does not give a rip about the color of someone's skin so long as they are righteous and pure. He would not care if she is black. That said, he most certainly would be opposed to what I have bolded for you--the fact that she is not very religious. Why would you want to be with someone who is way to the left of you and for whom the Lord is a much less important aspect of life?
We Christians believe in being "equally yoked", which is a phrase coming from a passage in the New Testament (the Christian Bible). I know that Judaism believes in the exact same concept (even if expressed differently). How is a Jew who is not very serious about God any different from a pagan or Muslim?
Sarah:
Shalom Chaim,
1.Today i was out on the high street and it struck me how much the western world is sucked into consumerism. You go into a shop to buy a ...lets say a pair of socks... and are confronted with hundreds of different "types". I watched in amazement people being mesmorised and so happy looking at all of these things, longingly. I find it quite pathetic. What do you think Chaim, you have a very busy life, don't you ever feel annoyed that you are trying to save Israel while half the world is wasting their life and time fawning over unnecessary things?
2. I am following the seven mitzvoh of Bnai Noach but don't feel they are very religious at all. I would follow them regardless of what religion i was as they are moral rules that deem too evil to transgress. If you are a noachide, are these rules all that are required or could i practice something more. I don't feel like i'm being religious......but maybe its not about the feeling?
Thank you chaim-and thats coming from the heart ;D. Another thing, last week you mentioned that South Africas government was untouched by economic sanctions. In fact they suffered extremely and currently owe billions in loans, all stemming from those sanctions. The only way they managed to get through was because they owned half of the worlds gold and diamond reserves. However Israel doesn't have these.
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