PARASHAT KEDOSHIM – TRUST IN G-D · Sukkat Shalom B'nei Noach

בס”ד

The Torah portion of “Kedoshim” describes the prohibition against turning to Ov and Yid’oni. These were forms of scary rituals related to mediumship, sorcery and séances. Why would a rational person be tempted to look for crucial answers in frightening rituals?

An upright Noahide understands that the future is not determined by stars or cards; rather, it is the result of the Creator’s guidance and the free will of man. The urge to turn to fortune tellers usually arises from a psychological weakness—from a lack of confidence and anxiety regarding tomorrow. The point is working on strengthening our trust.

Maimonides explains that the prohibition does not stem solely from the ways of idolatry, but also from the fact that these practices are absolute vanity without common sense. In Chapter 11 of the Laws of Idolatry Halacha 16, he writes:”But the people of wisdom and those of perfect mind know with clear proofs that all these things which the Torah forbade are in fact emptiness and vanity followed by those lacking knowledge of G-d, who have abandoned all paths of truth because of them.” For Noahides, this prohibition is a direct derivative of the first and most fundamental commandment, the prohibition of Idolatry.

Faith in the Creator of the world requires the recognition that there is only one Address for the management of the universe. Any attempt to turn to external forces—whether they be statues, fortune tellers, coffee-ground readers, or necromancers—is essentially a form of idolatry and related to its customs. When a person attributes the power of knowing the future or influencing destiny to any factor other than the Creator, they ignore G-d’s infinite Unity and the fact that there is nothing besides Him. These practices utilize forces of imagination that divert a person from the path of pure service to G-d, replacing faith with a false sense of control.

One who trusts the Creator does not need knowledge of the future. Instead of engaging in divinations, one is commanded to practice positive thinking. The faith that the expectation of goodness creates a positive reality. Positive thinking based on faith is the true way to ensure a better future, as it connects the person to the Source of Abundance. Instead of looking sideways, one should look directly toward the Creator alone, follow the paths of the Seven Noahides laws with sincerity, and invest energy in doing good and strengthening our trust. Then, the promise of this verse will be realized: “Divine grace surrounds the one who trusts in G-d” (Psalms 32:10).

By Rabbi Moshe Bernstein

Source:

Maimonides Laws of Idolatry Chapter 11 Halacha 16. Leviticus 19:26: “You shall not practice divination or soothsaying.” Leviticus 19:31: “Do not turn to the Ov or the Yid’oni; do not seek them out to be defiled by them; I am the Lord your G-d.” Sefer HaChinuch Mitzvah 256. Psalms 32:10.

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