Mitzvah —
65
Not to consult the Ov
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וְחֹבֵ֖ר חָ֑בֶר וְשֹׁאֵ֥ל אוֹב֙ וְיִדְּעֹנִ֔י וְדֹרֵ֖שׁ אֶל־הַמֵּתִֽים׃ - פָּרָשַׁת שׁוֹפְטִים
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Deuteronomy 18:11 - "or a charmer, a pithom sorcerer, a yido'a sorcerer, or a necromancer."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Idolatry – עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה
It is forbidden to consult an Ov, a medium who claims to summon voices of the dead or channel spirits.
This mitzvah prohibits turning to an Ov — a medium who channels or imitates the voices of the dead. Rambam defines Ov as one who speaks with a hollow or hidden voice, deceiving others into believing spirits are speaking through him (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 11:16–17). The Talmud (Sanhedrin 65a–b) describes this as producing voices from the armpit or mouth, mimicking hidden speech. Rashi clarifies that it refers to summoning voices in darkness to trick seekers, while Ramban emphasizes it as idolatrous superstition replacing Torah with false intermediaries. Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 513) stresses that Ov is pure deception, drawing people away from Hashem and prophecy. Midrash Tanchuma (Shoftim 8) contrasts Israel with nations who seek mediums, insisting that Israel must seek Hashem through His prophets.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 11:16–17; Sefer HaMitzvot, Lo Ta’aseh 35): Defines Ov as necromancy through hollow voices, an idolatrous falsehood.
- Talmud (Sanhedrin 65a–b): Explains Ov as producing voices “from the armpit or the mouth,” a form of deception.
- Rashi (Deut. 18:11): Interprets Ov as one who uses illusions of voices in darkness to deceive.
- Ramban (Deut. 18:9–11): Argues that reliance on Ov undermines prophecy and Divine providence.
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 513): Teaches that Ov corrupts faith and leads Israel into false paths.
- Midrash Tanchuma (Shoftim 8): Contrasts pagan reliance on mediums with Israel’s reliance on Hashem and prophecy.
Contrast with Prophecy (Mitzvah 9):
- Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 7:1) notes prophecy comes only to the righteous after spiritual refinement, while Ov is deceitful imitation.
- Talmud (Sanhedrin 65b) contrasts hollow mutterings of Ov with the clear, Divine truth of prophecy.
- Ramban (Deut. 18:15) explains that prophecy was given so Israel would never need Ov or diviners.
Parallel to Mitzvah 64 (Not to Attempt to Engage the Dead):
- Both forbid necromantic practices, but Mitzvah 64 addresses self-initiated rituals to consult the dead, while Mitzvah 65 forbids relying on professional mediums.
- Rambam distinguishes: Doresh el hameitim (Mitzvah 64) is ritualistic seeking; Ov is channeling voices through deception.
Contrast with Honoring Torah Scholars:
- Rambam and Sefer HaChinuch stress that true guidance comes from Torah sages and prophets. Consulting Ov denies the covenantal structure of Jewish leadership and substitutes superstition for wisdom.
- Talmud (Sanhedrin 90a) emphasizes reliance on Torah and mitzvot instead of necromancers.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Psychics and Mediums
- Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 11:16) would classify modern psychic mediums — claiming to speak for the dead — as Ov. Even if framed as comfort, halacha prohibits it.
“Spirit Channelers” and New Age Healers
- Ramban (Deut. 18:11) labels such practices sheker. Channeling “spirit guides” or “angelic voices” mirrors ancient Ov deception.
Entertainment Mediums
- Sefer HaChinuch (513) warns against even playful consultation. TV shows, live performances, or “paranormal tours” normalize reliance on illusions instead of Hashem.
Digital Mediums & AI Channeling Tools
- Apps or “AI mediums” that simulate conversations with the dead may not involve occult ritual, but echo Ov in premise — training people to seek voices beyond Hashem’s truth.
Pastoral Response — True Jewish Alternatives
- Midrash Tanchuma reminds us: Israel turns to Hashem, not Ov. Torah teaches memorialization through mitzvot, not mediums.
- Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 10:1) stresses direct connection to Hashem through tefillah and mitzvot.
- Kaddish, Torah study, and tzedakah elevate the soul of the deceased in authentic Jewish ways.
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Idolatry – עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה
- Ramban (Deut. 18:11) teaches that consulting an Ov is a branch of avodah zarah, as it replaces Hashem’s voice with fraudulent channels. Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 11:16) treats Ov as superstition that mimics idolatrous practices of surrounding nations. The prohibition safeguards Israel’s faith from slipping into pagan patterns of seeking hidden voices, which denies Hashem’s sovereignty.
Speech – דָּבָר
- Talmud (Sanhedrin 65a) describes Ov as producing voices “from the armpit or mouth.” Rashi (Deut. 18:11) interprets this as whispered speech in darkness, crafted to deceive. This mitzvah sanctifies davar (speech), directing Jewish words toward tefillah and Torah study, not fraudulent mutterings. Speech is meant to reveal truth, not simulate spirits.
Thought – מַחֲשָׁבָה
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 513) warns that reliance on Ov corrupts the Jewish mind by planting illusions in place of reason and emunah. Rambam insists these practices are falsehood (divrei sheker), undermining Torah’s intellectual and moral clarity. The mitzvah disciplines thought to remain clear, rational, and rooted in Hashem’s truth.
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Rambam (Avodat Kochavim 11:16–17) states that Ov is deception and emptiness, a denial of Hashem’s providence. Sefer HaChinuch emphasizes that emunah is preserved only when Jews reject false intermediaries. Consulting Ov expresses misplaced faith in hidden voices, while this mitzvah re-centers trust in Hashem’s direct providence.
Prophecy – נְבוּאָה
- Ramban (Deut. 18:15) insists that Hashem provided prophets “from your midst” precisely so Israel would never turn to Ov. Talmud (Sanhedrin 65b) contrasts prophecy’s Divine voice with Ov’s hollow muttering. This mitzvah ensures that prophecy — sacred, true, and rooted in holiness — remains Israel’s exclusive spiritual channel, rejecting counterfeits.
Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם
- Midrash Tanchuma (Shoftim 8) contrasts nations consulting mediums with Israel, who fears Hashem alone. By avoiding Ov, Jews cultivate awe of Heaven rather than fear of fabricated voices. True reverence is reserved for Hashem, not the theater of necromancers.
Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה
- Rambam emphasizes that Ov was banned to preserve Israel’s distinct kedushah from pagan practices. Holiness is expressed in separating Israel from nations that sought spirits. This mitzvah sanctifies the nation by rooting them in Torah guidance, elevating them above superstition.
Between a person and G-d – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- Consulting an Ov violates the covenantal relationship with Hashem. Rambam calls it a betrayal of Israel’s direct access to Hashem through Torah and tefillah. This mitzvah ensures that Jews seek guidance only from Hashem, His Torah, and His prophets, preserving the unique bond of bein adam laMakom.
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