1)

What is the difference between a Ba'al Ov and a Yid'oni?

1.

Rashi: A Ba'al Ov is a necromancer, who causes the dead to speak from his armpit (or from between the joints of his body or of his hands - Sanhedrin, Ibid.); 1 whereas a Yid'oni is a sorcerer who places the bone of a wild animal (or a bird - Rambam) called 'Yado'a' 2 in his mouth, 3 which then proceeds to speak.


1

See Torah Temimah, note 234.

2

Moshav Zekenim: 'Yado'a' is synonymous with 'Adnei ha'Sadeh' (Kil'ayim 8:5) - a creature which resembles a human-being, and is attached to the ground (naturally) via a sort of umbilical cord.

3

See Torah Temimah, note 235.

2)

To whom does the La'av of "Al Tifnu el ha'Ovos" pertain?

1.

Rashi: It pertains to the Ba'al Ov and the Yid'oni themselves. 1

2.

Seforno: It is a La'av against turning to Ovos (one should turn one's back to them) ? how much more so against honoring them.

3.

Targum Yonasan: It pertains to those who use their services. 2

4.

Sanhedrin, 65a and Yerushalmi Sanhedrin, 7:10: The Ba'al Ov and the Yid'oni themselves are Chayav Sekilah, whereas the person who uses their services is only subject to a La'av. 3


1

See Sifsei Chachamim. See also Torah Temimah, note 233.

2

See Torah Temimah, note 233.

3

See Torah Temimah, note 233.

3)

What are the implications of "Al Tevakshu Letam'ah bahem"?

1.

Rashi: It implies that it is not merely seeking them, but actually dealing with them, that contaminates a person and renders him contemptible in the Eyes of Hashem.

2.

Seforno: It impliess that seeking them to contaminate oneself via their services is forbidden, but that Beis-Din are permitted to learn abour them in order to be able to judge sorcerers. 1

3.

Moshav Zekenim: It implies that someone who seeks them is Tamei and does not cleave to Hashem.

4.

Oznayim la'Torah: It implie that, as opposed to the Tum'ah that comes from eating Tamei food, where one eats for the pleasure and the Tum'ah comes automatically, the Tum'ah of Ov and Yid'oni come when one deliberately seeks it. 2

5.

Sifra: It implies that the spirits do not come upon a person unless he seeks them. 3


1

Seforno: as the Gemara in Shabbos 75a, learns from the Pasuk in Devarim 18:9 "Lo Tilmad La'asos" - in connection with witchcraft.

2

Oznayim la'Torah: After discussing how one attaining Kedushah, the Torah now discusses how one attains Tum'ah.

3

See Torah Temimah, note 238.

4)

Why does the Torah juxtapose Ba'al Ov to Shabbos?

1.

Oznayim la'Torah: Because the spirit Ov, which does not operate on Shabbos, is a testimony to the Shabbos. 1

2.

Refer to 19:30:1:5.


1

Oznayim la'Torah: As R. Akiva told Turnusrufus in Sanhedrin, 65.

5)

Why does the Torah add "Ani Hashem Elokeichem"?

1.

Rashi: It is as if to say 'Know, Who you are switching for whom!'

2.

Moshav Zekenim: To teach us that one should seek [to know the future] only from Hashem. 1


1

Presumably, this incorporates the prophecy of a Navi and consulting the Urim ve'Tumim.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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