roa ADIRE CONCERN FOR KLAL YISROEL REGARDING “HEALING” AND OTHER PRACTICES We hereby call out to all our Jewish brethren who seek to walk in the path of Toras Hashem, and who want to stay far away and separated from any doubt of prohibition, and who do not seek crooked excuses to indulge in transgressing any positive commandments. This call is to awaken and make Klal Yisroel aware that lately there are individuals in the Orthodox Jewish community who are finding different new healing methods be it physically, emotionally, and/or mentally which are connected to foreign ways of thinking, and their roots land sources are very questionable and dubious, Even more, these foreign ways of thinking are linked to many different religions, idol worship, witchcraft, and Kefirah (atheism). These healing methods are mainly imported from Far Eastern countries, and are sometimes performed under the guise and through the misunderstanding of holy Kabbalistic teachings, avail. It's definitely clear that the individuals with pure Jewish hearts which are attached to thelr Father in Heaven and who wish to be protected from anything which might tear them away from Torah Chas V'Shalom, especially in today’s day and age of vast world destruction when every Torah Jew wants to get closer to Hashem and prepare for the coming of Moshiach through Simcha, would never want to stoop to such levels. However, sometimes because of their innocence, and perhaps their seriously failing health and their anxiety and distress over it, they often fall into these traps which are linked to very (harsh) transgressions and these individuals aren't even aware of them. At times, they may also assume that any remedy, which is helpful and ccan cure them is automatically permitted. ‘Therefore, out of deep concer for Kial Yisroel, and clarification of the issue after thorough inquiry and detailed investigation in length and depth, we hereby publicly notify all practices which border on atheism, idolatry and witchcraft, which undermine and destroy the basic fundamentals of Yiddishkeit, are forbidden and those involved are transgressing many severe prohibitions in Torah Sh’bechsav and Torah Sh’Baal Peh. EXPLANATION (details involving Kefira mamash have been removed to protect the Tzibur) The main groups of people who are involved in this process of healing include mostly genuine idol ‘worshippers and witchcraft practitioners, whether in the past or present, Most of the concepts are adopted from the Far East. Also included are 90 percent of “doctors” who practice new kinds of alternative medicine land are recently making big waves through propaganda and major advertisement in the world at large. Among these groups, there are unfortunately many pious and innocent Orthodox Jews who are involved. The believers of these concepts and ideas actually put their faith into i. Others are actual worshippers of it, exacly lke the idols of Baal and Asheira. Even more, there are those that indulge in it to the extent takes over their natural mind and brain. Some may just use it for healing purposes. But unfortunately all these ‘groups of users recognize a force of power and wil, until they claim that they experience a connection with it, and feel they can accept strength and ‘energy’ from i All these practices are bound directly with severe Issurim, perhaps actual Avodah Zarah (idolatry) or at least some sort of energy coming from Avodah Zarah, ike different forms of witchoraft, or Darkei Emori. At the very least, these rituals contain a real trace of strengthening different concepts of denial of the existence of Hashem, with sources stemming from Avodah Zarah and atheism. They each contain many fine and sensitive differences in their principles, which differ from each other lke spider webs, but are similarly bull on crooked theories of the heart, naughtiness and siliness. All these practitioners, be they male or female, were taught and trained in different behaviors and methods with all kinds of impressive names, but the truth of the matter is that they all stem from the same rotten roots. Each type seems to claim and boast of its own specific technique, concept or system, and the head of their group prides himself on his healing method and thus asserts himself over his rival or competitor.roo At this point we will bring you a partial lst of these false ways of healing according to the names they are called. We will attempt to briefly explain several of them and describe how they operate, and perhaps we can Understand the rest through our imagination. Anyone who is truly trying to protect and guard himself and his Neshama from evil should know the unequivocal truth and be able to differentiate between light and complete darkness, |. FORBIDDEN PRACTICES There are hosts of names to all these bogus practices which are based on the use of “energy”. They are publicly known to many people as follows: ‘Absent Healing Distance Healing Applied Kinesiology Energy Healing Bioenergy Hands On Healing Bio Kinetic Energy ‘One Brain ChilkiiPranal Pranic Healing Qi-Healing Reiki Consegrty Therapeutic Touch (ancient Indian system based on Avodah Zarah of Prana according to its own developer and many others) Ail the above is forbidden even if they are part ofa true medical treatment. A person must be cautioned that he may nol make use of_tvealment in which these remedies are used without his knowledge. These Practices have diferent names and tilles, for example invocational, new age, sprilual energy, esoteric healer, etc. ‘There are many otner names compiled from these and may even exist ifthe practioner has the title of doctor. (Also you have to be alert if they call themselves different names even though it doesn't seem apparent that they/re using such healing methods.) All these remedies are forbidden in the following cases: 1) These procedures are oftentimes performed by observant frum Jews (so called “Mekubalim) and are not allowed even if they're praying to Hashem at the time of practice. 2) These rituals are forbidden to be executed through non-Jews, even if they're done without the assistance and will ofthe recipient of the treatment, 3) They're also forbidden when the healer has no interest to proselytize the beneficiary of the treatment. 4) All foods, drinks, ointments (oils, etc.) or remedies that are treated or filled with this eneray (energized) are included in this prohibition 5) It’s also forbidden to learn any information through this energy and force, to repeat anything in its ‘name or its nickname, to listen to anybody speaking in its name, or to act and conduct yourself according to their techniques. 6) One must further himself from any practitioner or healer whose work or ideas have any connection with idolatry, witchcraft, atheism, or spirits. The prohibitions of all the above thing fundamentals which don’t BE AWARE OF BAD INFLUENCES I's superfluous to mention the severe prohibition that deals with Kefirim (atheists), reading their books, or even discussing their ideas or concepts, which can perhaps be considered accepting their principles. It's stated in the Rambam (Hilchos Avodah Zarah Perek 2, Halachah 2-3) as follows.Halachah 2- “Hashem commanded us not to read their (idolatrous) books at all, not to think about nor to discuss their words, as is stated in the Torah, "Al Tfni el Heil’ Halachah 3- Not only is one forbidden to transgress the violation of Avodah Zarab in his mind by thinking ‘about it, "But also any thoughts which cause destruction to a person's basic fundamentals in Torah, we are Strictly forbidden to bring it to our attention or contemplate i, and we're not permitted to lett enter our hearts or minds." We must distance ourselves from these things with the utmost furtherance, by staying away from any thing or person which influences any kind of use of this so called “energy”, even if doesn't directly or indirectly lead to Avodah Zarah or atheism or any other power. I's also understood that one must refrain from reading their writings, taking various courses in the subject, or listening to speeches which deal with these practices in whichever name they call themselves. For example, there is “universal energy" which is outright denial of Hashem, all kinds of misleading through “Kabbalah, and the sundry other names and details related to this subject. ‘All are included in the severe prohibition, and i’s understood that we must be careful and cautioned not to discuss anything with practitioners of these procedures, because everything associated with them is tainted with their impure ideas and concepts. I, BE ALERT WITH OTHER MATTERS Besides everything discussed and explained here already, there are many more numerous kinds of practices which cary Reavy strict prohibitions, Additionally, there are procedures and treatments which still eed clarity and explanation. Since this topic contains many branches, detailed parliculars, and different changing names, they are difficult to list because they're so numerous, and may also change every day by their onginators who conceal the source of their work. Therefore one must be very alert and aware of any strange signs, which arouse any kind of similarity to the above mentioned prohibitions. We may utilize all kinds of kosher medicines ané make use of health articles. We should always daven to Hashem and rely on Him totally, give Tzedakah and step up our diligence in Torah and Teshuvah. May Hashem help us to endure all the cifficult trials and tribulations of the painful days before the Geulah, and be Zocheh to the Geulah Sheleimah Amen, py TRA yd a's Cte pur eran bret MGayoe wy ho Be egeitdnen — F HaRay Yisroel! HaLevi Belski HaRav Shmuel Auerbach HaRav Dovid Feinstein