[Avodah] “Segula”: Empty Promises

[Prof. Levine]

 From http://mesora.org/segulas.htm

Recently a Jewish newspaper ran an ad selling the 
promise of Divine intervention, commonly called 
“segulas”. For $40 an organization called 
Chasidei Yerushalayim advertised it would read 
Tehillim and Shir HaShirim, promising these 
recitations to afford a “proven segula” or 
“guaranteed positive change” in one’s life. 
Although I know that a wise person well versed in 
Torah texts will immediately dismiss such absurd 
claims, I was bothered by the ad’s gross 
misrepresentation of Torah truths, and false hopes sold to ignorant Jews.

This concept of a “segula” – that some action 
will cause an unrelated result – is alien to 
Torah Judaism, regardless of the masses of frum 
Jews who espouse such beliefs, and regardless of 
the segulas’ inclusion of Torah verses. I’ve 
heard of people baking challas with keys inside, 
or praying for 40 days at a precise location, 
believing this will somehow locate their mate, or 
make them fertile. But I also know God’s words, 
“In every place you mention My name, I will come 
to you and bless you.” (Exod. 20:21) Thus, God 
states that location is inconsequential. A close 
friend “AS” met with a Mekubbal and did as 
instructed. He was guaranteed to marry within the 
year. Ten years later, he is still single, while 
the Mekubbal profited. Another close friend “MK” 
inquired of a great Rebbe about a sick relative, 
and was told she would recover. But she died.

Although inexplicable according to the precise, 
natural laws that God created, people believe in 
segulas, for they emanate from Jewish 
communities, and many people are desperate.

From  http://www.mesora.org/segulasII.htm

The following belief has been circulating, with 
no rejection from Torah leaders, and unfortunately, endorsement:

“Going into the mikvah following a pregnant woman 
who is in her ninth month is a segula for becoming pregnant.”

<Snip>


Segulas II: Be-emunah Shlaimah: With Perfect Faith

Rabbi Reuven Mann

With regard to a segula ritual prescribed for 
pregnant women, a defender of the practice 
asks:  “If this segula were not acceptable do you 
think the Rabbanim who told the women to do it 
would have suggested it?”  This is a powerful and 
challenging question.  The answer is that, 
unfortunately, I do believe Rabbanim suggested 
it.  One must question the behavior of these 
rabbis.  It is irresponsible to mislead innocent 
people along a false path – which takes the away 
from Torah and from a true relationship with God.

Yitzchok Levine 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.aishdas.org/pipermail/avodah-aishdas.org/attachments/20111219/743b6754/attachment.htm>