Home -- Content: Series 7 (Laws) -- Translation: English -- Book: 1 (Tora) -- Part: 2 (Negative) -- Prohibition: 35 -- Text
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The Sharia of Moses in the TORA
Part 2 - The 365 Prohibitions of the Tora
35 - PRACTICING THE ART OF A CHARMER
“If one has been stung by a scorpion or a snake, it is permitted, even on the Sabbath, to whisper a spell over the part affected, so as to soothe the patient and give him reassurance. Although the procedure is absolutely useless, it is permitted because of the patient’s dangerous condition, so that he may not lose his mental balance. One who whispers a spell over a wound, and at the same time recites a verse from the Torah, or one who recites a verse over a child to dispel its fears, or one ho places a scroll or phylacteries on an infant to induce it to sleep – these are not in the category of sorcerers and soothsayers, but they are included among those who repudiate the Torah; for they use its words to cure the body, whereas they are only medicine for the soul… On the other hand, any one in the enjoyment of good health is permitted to recite verses from the Scriptures or a psalm, in order that he may be shielded by the merit of the recital and saved from trouble and hurt.”*