Machshavah Lab

Chayei Sarah: The Fine Line Between Divine Signs and Divination

October 29, 2021 Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss Season 6 Episode 16
Machshavah Lab
Chayei Sarah: The Fine Line Between Divine Signs and Divination
Show Notes

This morning (10/29/21), in our "Machshavah Lab" series for women, we had two objectives: (1) to examine the permissibility of Eliezer's actions in this week's parashah in light of the Torah prohibition of nichush (divination/omen-reading), and (2) to clarify on a theoretical level the distinction between permissible and prohibited ways of utilizing signs. We examined this topic in light of the Gemara which is the source of these halachos, which we analyzed according to five Rishonim: Rambam, Raavad (including Rashi and Tosafos), Sforno, Radak, and the Ran. Our most difficult challenge was attempting to make sense of R' Yochanan's actions in the Gemara, which - according to the Rambam - would seem to be both prohibited and utterly foolish.
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This week's Torah content has been sponsored by R.R. in appreciation for all the growth and insight that she has gained from these shiurim. To that I say, "Thank YOU, R.R., for helping make that possible!"
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מקורות:
בראשית כד:י-כז
ויקרא יט:כו
דברים יח:י
רמב"ם - משנה תורה, ספר המדע, הלכות עבודה זרה וחוקות הגויים יא:ד-ה, טז-יז
א' שמואל יד:א,ו-י
ראב"ד - הלכות עבודה זרה יא:ד
תלמוד בבלי - חולין דף צה עמוד ב עם רש"י
תוספות חולין דף צה עמוד ב ד"ה כאליעזר עבד אברהם
תוספות חולין דף צה עמוד ב ד"ה וכיונתן בן שאול
ספורנו - בראשית כד:יד
רד"ק - א' שמואל יד:ט
חידושי הר"ן - חולין דף צה עמוד ב
רמב"ם - אגרת אל חכמי מונטפשליר על גזירת הכוכבים
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gmail.com. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.
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