Shoftim - Judges

On magic, mysticism and uncertainty

This week’s Torah portion, Shoftim, contains the phrase Tamim tihyeh im Havaya Elohecha.

It is often translated, “You shall be wholehearted with the Eternal your God.”

Tamim is such a beautiful word! It can mean whole, complete, wholehearted, even innocent or without blemish. It shows up right after a long list of practices the Israelites are not supposed to engage in: divination, reading omens, sorcery, consulting spirits, seeking information from the dead. And then:

Tamim tihyeh im Havaya Elohecha. Be wholehearted with the Mystery.

How do we square these prohibitions against all these practices with all of the mystical aspects embedded in our stories? After all, our ancestors wrestled with angels, interpreted dreams, used amulets. The High Priests had the Urim and Tummim, sacred objects used to seek divine guidance.

Image from Jewels of Judaism

Many folks have said “Judaism doesn’t do ‘magic!’ It’s not allowed!” But how to explain all of the traditions then? Let’s start with the word “magic”. According to Rav Jericho Vincent quoting Rabbi Jill Hammer “magic is a political term, used for non-authorized spiritual practitioners…”

Hmmm.

So is the question “Who gets to do it?”

Though I think that plays into it, I think that oversimplifies it too. Certainly, the spiritual and folk practices that women (mostly) practiced, are diminished and often demeaned as “old wives tales.” “Superstition.” Those kinds of words. So who gets to do it is definitely part of the equation. But I think the more interesting question is “To what end are these practices done?”

I read tarot. I love astrology. I love amulets, altars, rituals. I don’t do them to understand the future though. They are spiritual technology and used for personal clarity. For insight or connection. I have always felt that those folks who read tarot or use other divination tools and claim to have answers for the future are ego bound, often fear mongers. We can never know the future with any certainty. We can never know with any certainty what happens when we die, let alone how or when we may shuffle off this mortal coil. Anyone who claims to have that certainty is, to me, offering lies for money. One women’s not at all humble opinion!

Annual birthday reading for a friend. Photo by me.

Insight though. Absolutely. What might I do in this situation? Sure! What’s the energy around me or that I may be immersed in? You betcha.

And that is where I think this parsha points: Don’t do these practices and ask for certainty. No. For certainty, all you can do is have faith (whatever that may mean to you) and walk the path. These tools help us align with our best selves, listen for our own wisdom, tap into the mystical flow of energy that is the Great Whatever and find peace and hopefully some clarity by clearing away the dross and noise.

It’s the difference between “What can help me tune in more deeply?” vs “Tell me what is going to happen.”

So sit with the still small voice. Pull a card for insight. See what’s happening in the larger planetary movements. Absolutely listen to your dreams, though, truth be told, I believe most dreams are the subconscious having a field day and not necessarily offering wisdom. I think I heard my grandmother say too many times “It’s a cesspool in there!” But there are many wise folks who seek wisdom from dreams so follow your own bliss. For me, there have been the rare occasional power or prophetic dream but it’s mostly Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride in there!

But I digress.

At the end of the day, these tools are vehicles for self knowledge and they support us in Tamim tihyeh im Havaya Elohecha; Be(ing) wholehearted with the Mystery. Not tools for certainty. Not expecting the amulet or the prayer to actually keep bad energy at bay or to keep bad things from happening. They help us remember to be present. To be aware. To make as good a choice as we can while knowing also that everything beyond the next breath is unknown. “God willing and the creek don’t rise,” as they say in my neck of the woods.

Which brings us to the month of Elul and the upcoming new year. Elul and the HiHos are times for teshuvah/returning or turning towards ourselves and others. Looking back, making amends, seeing where there may be opportunities for some different choices in the new year. Spiritual technology tools such as pulling cards, asking for dreams, opening to reflection and guidance, prayer, are all good tools to help meet the new year ready.

We can ask: What am I noticing? What is calling for my attention? What do I know in my deepest self? Where might the Holy be moving in this?

After the questioning, the sitting (or dancing or walking!) and the reflecting, then comes living in the next moment without knowing exactly what comes after it. But hopefully you feel more clear and the path may seem a little more clear.

Tamim tihyeh im Havaya Elohecha.

Be whole with the Mystery.

Shine on, Lovelies. Chodesh tov/Good new month.

Rainbow of stones made and photographed by me at Lake Pend Orielle in Idaho

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