Hello Everyone,
Today is the final session in the series “Sheidim and the Supernatural” so today we will discuss the subject of “magic.” The Torah warns us against engaging in practices which can be understood as “magical” in mseveral places. Does this mean that magic is real?
This question is particularly difficult for me to answer. With regard to the “reality” of either sheidim or ayin hara I could present both sides of the issue . With regard to “magic” (or however one chooses to translate the word כישוף) it is more difficult to present the side that says that it is not real because if it is merely sleight-of-hand then what precisely is forbidden by the Torah with the threat of the death penalty?
Nevertheless there are two sides to this question and I hope to explain them in this lesson.