Wednesday, July 06, 2005

Smashing Segulot II

Here is why I object to the mass belief in segulot.

1 - They are illogical. Why should God reward me for wearing a red string? Is that how divine justice operates? By granting bounty, blessing and protection to an evil person who merely puts a piece of dyed wool around his wrist?

2 - They are unprovable I don't need to tell you that there isn't a stich of evidence that segulot work. No studies support the claims of the segulah users. More importantly, would any of you use a doctor who treated the sick with red strings? Would you buy stock from someone who used segulot to make his selections? Of course not! Unless you're insane, I mean. So why be rational in every other aspect of your life, but this?

3- They are not recognized by the Torah
Where are sugulot mentioned in the Torah? What is the source for saying an inanimate object has power? (Mizuzot and tefillin, we're clearly told, are reminders: the objects have no power themselves.) Moreover, if all it takes is some havdalah wine and a red string, why are we told "Teshuva, tefilla, u’tzedaka maavirin es roa ha’gzeira" Shouldn't segulot be somewhere on that list?

4 - They are rejected by Torah Sages I already cited the Radak, and the Rambam. The Tosefta in Shabbos 7:1 also objects to the idea, and many other Rishonim are equally hostile.

5 - They are not in keeping with basic and fundemnetal principles of Judaism.
(1) God rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked; and (2) there is no power in the universe but God. Those defending Segulot deny this.