Mitzvah —
48
Not to perform Yidoni (magical seer)
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אַל־תִּפְנ֤וּ אֶל־הָאֹבֹת֙ וְאֶל־הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֔ים אַל־תְּבַקְשׁ֖וּ לְטׇמְאָ֣ה בָהֶ֑ם אֲנִ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ - פָּרָשַׁת קְדשִׁים
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Leviticus 19:31 - "You shall not turn to [the sorcery of] Ov or Yid'oni; you shall not seek [these and thereby] defile yourselves through them. I am the Lord, your God."
This Mitzvah's Summary
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Idolatry – עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה
It is forbidden to engage in Yidoni, a sorcery practice of producing voices or oracles through bones or other occult means.
This mitzvah prohibits Yidoni, an occult practice described in the Talmud (Sanhedrin 65b) as placing a bone (often of a bird called yadua) in the mouth, producing a voice that seemed to speak hidden knowledge. Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 11:14) codifies Yidoni as a form of sorcery distinct from Ov, yet equally destructive, deceiving people into trusting in foreign powers.
Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 256) emphasizes that Yidoni corrupts emunah by creating reliance on illusionary omens rather than Torah. Rashi (Lev. 19:31) interprets it as a defilement that distances Israel from kedushah. Ramban explains that Torah forbids it not because of inherent efficacy but because indulging in superstition defiles the soul and erodes Israel’s covenant. Midrash (Tanchuma Shoftim §9) connects Yidoni with abandoning Hashem’s direct guidance in favor of false intermediaries.
Commentary & Classical Explanation:
- Rambam (Avodat Kochavim 11:14): Defines Yidoni as sorcery through a bone used for deceptive oracles.
- Talmud (Sanhedrin 65b): Details the mechanics and fraud of Yidoni.
- Sefer HaChinuch (256): Warns that reliance on Yidoni undermines Torah-based faith.
- Rashi (Lev. 19:31): Notes that Yidoni defiles those who turn to it.
- Ramban: Explains it as superstition leading to impurity and alienation.
- Midrash (Tanchuma Shoftim §9): Portrays it as abandoning Hashem’s voice for false ones.
Contrast with Mitzvah 47 (Not to perform Ov):
- Ov channels voices of the dead through ritual, often from underarm or mouth.
- Yidoni uses a bone to produce a magical “oracle.”
- Both are prohibited, but Rambam distinguishes them to emphasize that Torah bans every form of necromancy or divination.
Parallel to Mitzvah 43 (Not to listen to a false prophet):
- Both Yidoni and false prophets claim hidden messages.
- Talmud explains they deceive people with words, while prophecy is tested by truth. Ramban equates both as distortions of Hashem’s word.
Commentaries
(Source: Chabad.org)
Applying this Mitzvah Today
Rejecting “Magical Knowledge”
- Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 11:16) explains Yidoni as placing a bone in the mouth and uttering incantations to “channel” otherworldly knowledge. Today, the parallel is turning to fortune-tellers, psychics, or “energy readers” who claim to access hidden truths.
Spiritual Discipline in an Age of Mysticism
- Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 250) warns that these practices seduce people away from Torah by offering shortcuts to certainty. In our time, new-age mysticism and esoteric “healing” movements often mirror Yidoni, pulling people into dependency on false promises instead of cultivating emunah and prayer.
Guarding Integrity Against Deception
- Talmud (Sanhedrin 65b) stresses that Yidoni is deception, not Divine wisdom. Today, scams abound under the guise of “spiritual counseling” or “psychic help.” This mitzvah calls Jews to protect themselves and their communities from such exploitation.
Trust in Hashem Alone
- Ramban (Lev. 19:31) emphasizes that the prohibition ensures Israel relies on Hashem’s guidance rather than counterfeit channels. In today’s terms, resisting fascination with occultism or “hidden forces” affirms that our clarity comes from Torah and tefillah, not fabricated rituals.
Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals
Idolatry – עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה
- Rambam (Avodat Kochavim 11:14) rules Yidoni as avodah zarah-adjacent, because it leads to reliance on forces other than Hashem. Talmud (Sanhedrin 65b) notes Yidoni was often used in idol cults. Sefer HaChinuch (256) warns that even passive listening to Yidoni associates one with idolatry. Ramban emphasizes Torah’s goal is to eradicate even indirect connections to false worship.
Purity – טָהֳרָה
- Rashi (Lev. 19:31) teaches that turning to Yidoni “defiles” the seeker. Ramban expands that this tumah is spiritual, removing kedushah from the soul. Talmud (Sanhedrin 65b) explains that the practice degraded the practitioner through bizarre ritual. Sefer HaChinuch emphasizes that purity requires trusting Hashem alone, not counterfeit visions.
Faith – אֱמוּנָה
- Sefer HaChinuch (256) writes that Yidoni undermines true faith by offering false assurances. Rambam explains emunah must be founded in Torah, not superstition. Ramban says indulging in Yidoni betrays faith by suggesting Hashem’s guidance is insufficient. Midrash (Tanchuma Shoftim) contrasts true emunah with those who abandon Hashem for such practices.
Speech – דָּבָר
- Rambam describes Yidoni as speech-based sorcery, manipulating sounds to produce messages. Talmud (Sanhedrin 65b) explains its reliance on the voice of the “bone.” Rashi points out the Torah’s phrase “do not seek them” emphasizes misuse of words to feign prophecy. Sefer HaChinuch warns this corrupts the Divine gift of speech, intended for Torah and truth.
Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם
- Rambam states yirat Shamayim is undermined when awe is placed in illusions. Sefer HaChinuch notes that fearing Yidoni shows misplaced reverence. Ramban explains that reverence is tested when Israel resists false powers. Midrash teaches that Hashem demands awe of His Torah, not occult substitutes.
Core Beliefs – יְסוֹדוֹת הָאֱמוּנָה
- Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvot, Negative Commandment 34) includes Yidoni as a foundation of ikarei emunah safeguards. Ramban insists that Torah bans superstition to keep belief uncompromised. Talmud reinforces this by classing Yidoni among practices that fracture true creed. Sefer HaChinuch stresses this mitzvah fortifies the very pillars of emunah.
Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם
- Rambam rules that avoiding Yidoni is a direct expression of fidelity to Hashem. Rashi calls seeking Yidoni “defilement before Hashem.” Ramban says clinging to Hashem excludes reliance on occult intermediaries. Midrash teaches that refusing Yidoni renews covenantal closeness. Sefer HaChinuch highlights that this mitzvah strengthens deveikut by directing all hope to Hashem alone.
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