Rabbi Shach’s Warning: Why True Faith Requires No Kabbalists or Fortune Tellers

Times of distress and uncertainty often become fertile ground for all sorts of misguided or unworthy practices that do not befit sincere, believing Jews. One such phenomenon, against which Rabbi Elazar Menachem Man Shach spoke out repeatedly, is the growing trend of turning to so-called “kabbalists,” fortune tellers, and spiritual “miracle workers.”

Rabbi Shach’s Firm Stand Against “Kabbalists” and Fortune Tellers

Rabbi Shach’s position on these self-proclaimed “kabbalists” was unequivocal. In one of his letters, he wrote: “Regarding the widespread practice among many people to consult those who claim to know the future — what will happen to them and how they should act, let it be known that all these are frauds and ignoramuses. They do so for money, handing out amulets and various ‘advices.’ It is forbidden to rely on them; they have no knowledge whatsoever in these matters. Woe to us that our generation has fallen so low that every superstition finds believers! We must only keep the mitzvot of Hashem, not question His ways, and be wholehearted with the Lord your God — and may Hashem atone for our sins.”

“The Names Don’t Match” — To Marry or Not?

When people came to ask Rabbi Shach about potential matches (shidduchim), they sometimes hesitated because a “kabbalist” had told them the couple’s names were “not compatible.” Rabbi Shach dismissed such claims outright. “They are neither prophets nor the sons of prophets!” he would reply sharply, instructing them to ignore the supposed “problem” completely.

In another case, a sick relative told him about a “kabbalist” who had given him advice. Rabbi Shach ended the discussion immediately: “Torah and prayer are the only tools we know. Beyond that, there is nothing else in the world!”

What About Palm Reading?

Rabbi Shach was equally clear about practices such as palm reading or astrology. In a letter to someone who asked about this, he wrote: “I tell you decisively: it is absolutely forbidden to engage in this, and forbidden to rely on it. The Torah explicitly states (Devarim 18:13): ‘Be wholehearted with the Lord your God.’ See Rambam’s commentary there, and the Ramban’s remarks in his notes to the Sefer HaMitzvot, where he rebukes the Rambam for omitting this positive commandment — not to rely on what the stars and constellations indicate. We have only to trust in Hashem; everything else is nonsense.”

Forced to Visit a “Baba” — and What Happened Next

Rabbi Yosef HaKohen Rot told a striking story that perfectly illustrates Rabbi Shach’s view.

A man in terrible distress once went to consult a “kabbalist.” The “kabbalist” gave him a vague and confusing answer that only increased his anxiety. The man thought that if a respected Torah scholar were to approach the “kabbalist” on his behalf, he might receive a clearer response. So he pressured one of his relatives — a learned rabbi, to do so.

That rabbi, who was close to Rabbi Shach, hesitated, knowing well his teacher’s strong opposition to such practices. Finally, after being pressed repeatedly, he decided to consult Rabbi Shach himself before acting.

As soon as he explained the situation, Rabbi Shach banged his hand on the table and exclaimed: “I would never have believed that a Torah scholar would ask such a question! This was not the way of our ancestors! Our duty is to strengthen ourselves in Torah and mitzvot and to pray more — and Heaven will have mercy! This is our path — the only path!”

Some time later, on the yahrzeit of his late wife, Rabbi Shach went to the cemetery to pray at her resting place. There he also stopped by the grave of Rabbi Yechezkel Levenstein, the renowned mashgiach, to pray. While there, he met the same rabbi who had asked him about the distressed man and heard that the man’s troubles still continued.

Rabbi Shach said to him: “All the more so — pray here now, and certainly your prayer will bring blessing and salvation!”

Indeed, the rabbi prayed sincerely from the depths of his heart, and soon afterward, the salvation came.

From this, Rabbi Shach taught: We must increase prayer and trust in God, not chase after questionable mystical shortcuts or superstitious practices. Faith, prayer, and mitzvot are the only true sources of blessing.

Adapted from the Dirshu website.