Segulah healing

Hi,

"The Sages say one may transgress only to heal in a clear way, such that logic and experience mandate it. One may not heal with segulot [that which is not explained as natural healing], because their nature is weak and its capabilities are not logically mandated, and they are untested."

(Rambam, Commentary to Mishnah Yoma 8:6)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Using the Torah as Medicine

Hi,

"One who chants over a wound, reading a passage of Torah… is not only among the sorcerers and charmers, but is among the deniers of Torah who turn it into medicine for the body when it is really medicine for the soul, as it is written (Mishlei 3:22), 'They will be life for your soul.' But one who is healthy may read the verses and chapters of Psalms for protection in the merit of reading them, to be saved from trouble and harm."

(Maimonides, Mishneh Torah Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 11:12)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Turning a mezuzah into an amulet

Hi,

"A popular practice is to write upon the outside of the mezuzah, opposite the space between portions, the Name Sha-dai. There is no loss; this is external. However, one who writes the names of angels, or Holy Names, or a sentence or seals, inside the parchment, is included among those who have no share in the next world. Not only do these fools nullify the mitzvah, but they treat a great mitzvah, the unification of Gd's Name and love of Him and service of Him as though it was an amulet for personal benefit, as has arisen in their foolishness."

(Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Tefillin, Mezuzah v'Sefer Torah 5:4)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

More on the red bendle

Hi,

"Regarding the practice of tying a red string: Rabban Gamliel says this is not an Emorite practice; R' Elazar son of R' Tzaddok says it is an Emorite practice."

(Tosefta Shabbat 7:11)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The red bendle

Hi,

"Question: Is there a source for tying a red string on a child, carriage and so on because of the evil eye?

"Answer: That was the universal practice; they were careful to tie a red string on a carriage and crib of a child because of the evil eye. All of these are the practices of elderly women, regarding which the Rashba wrote that we should not mock their words and practices, for they are certainly founded in the sacred mountains, even if we do not know the reasons."

(Rav Moshe Stern, Beer Moshe 8:36)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Chuppah under the stars

Hi,

It's interesting to note the tension in Judaism between our biblical opposition to superstition and omen-reading, and our love of 'good signs' and their psychological benefits.

"Some say we should hold the chuppah under the heavens, as a good sign that the couple's children should be as the stars in the heavens."

(Rama, Shulchan Aruch Even haEzer 61:3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai