Do not mutter incantations

The Literal Commandment

There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. (Deuteronomy 18:10-11)

 

The literal commandment is that we should not cast a spell.

 

Messiah Says

Messiah implicitly affirmed this commandment when He spoke about the Law:

"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19)

 

Pictures of Messiah

The person "casting spells" and performing incantations seeks after power that is not their own nor is it given to them by the Most High.

This commandment pictures Messiah in that perfect relationship with the Father that precludes the need to seek out anything beyond what was given to Him.

 

How Messiah Fulfilled

Messiah fulfilled this commandment by not muttering incantations or seeking out power that was not from the Most High.

 

Traditional Observance

This commandment is traditionally observed in a very literal manner: by not muttering incantations, practicing witchcraft or anything like them. Pursuing such things declares that the person doing them does not trust G-d and instead they are seeking out power that has not been entrusted to them.

 

Other Notes

We are able to fulfill this commandment today and should not mutter incantations or cast spells.

 

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Commandment Details

  • Mishneh Torah # 63
  • Mishneh Torah Book # 1
  • Mishneh Torah Book Knowledge
  • Mishneh Torah Category 4- Idolatry and Gentile Customs
  • Reference Deuteronomy 18:11
  • Scripture Book Deuteronomy
  • Chapter 18
  • Verse 11
  • English or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.
  • Hebrew יא וְחֹבֵר, חָבֶר; וְשֹׁאֵל אוֹב וְיִדְּעֹנִי, וְדֹרֵשׁ אֶל-הַמֵּתִים.
  • Greek 11 ἐπαείδων ἐπαοιδήν, ἐγγαστρίμυθος καὶ τερατοσκόπος, ἐπερωτῶν τοὺς νεκρούς.
  • Parashah 48- Shoftim
  • Positive/Negative Negative
  • Sefer Hachinuch # 512
  • Sef. Hach. Command The prohibition against employing charms
  • Category Idolatry
  • We can fulfill today Yes

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