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DEUTERONOMY | 18:13 wholehearted — DEUT931 The Code of Jewish Law, authored by Rabbi...

DEUT931 The Code of Jewish Law, authored by Rabbi Yosef Caro, states that it is forbidden for a Jew to try to determine the future by using astrology or lots (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 179:1). Rabbi Caro, in a different book of his, explains that the origin of this Jewish law is from the Midrash (Beit Yosef commentary on Tur, Yoreh De'ah 179). Apparently, Rabbi Caro equates using a lottery to determine future events not only with astrology, but also with witchcraft and other forbidden Jewish practices (See chapter [in AMJV], "Alternative Medicine"). The verse mentioned as proof is, "You shall be complete with the Lord your God" [this verse]. This indicates, according to Rashi, that one should rely only on God, and not try to determine any future events by any means. Rather, one must accept what God doles out for him or her. Shulchan Aruch was averse to using lots in any situation relating to determining the future, equating this process with astrology. (However, he allowed lots regarding giving Shabbat food to children and dividing the deceased parents' land among their heirs, as noted above.) Therefore, based on this line of thinking, many later Rabbis banned the concept and the practical application of drawing lots to determine future events. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, a leading Rabbinic leader of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, forbade using lots in our times (Responsa Yabia Omer, section 6, Choshen Mishpat 4).

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Source KeyAMJV
Verse18:13
Keyword(s)wholehearted
Source Page(s)217-8
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