הרב מאיר אליהו | סוד הגורלות | יזדים

·1 hr 12 min·5 clips

Rabbi Meir Eliyau asks if it's permissible to use lots to dig up sources and divide a house in Jerusalem among heirs.

Rabbi Meir Eliyau delivers a lecture on the topic of Goralot (lots), questioning whether they can be used to uncover hidden truths, divide assets, or predict the future. He begins by framing the issue with practical scenarios, such as dividing a house in Jerusalem among heirs. The core of the episode is a detailed analysis of biblical and Talmudic precedents. First, he examines the division of the Land of Israel among the twelve tribes, noting that while lots were used, the process involved the Holy Spirit, making it a supernatural event not easily applicable today. Second, he discusses the lots cast for the two goats on Yom Kippur, again highlighting mystical elements described in the Zohar. Third, he analyzes the selection of the 70 elders by Moses, which also involved lots. The host then shifts to prophetic examples, focusing extensively on the story of Jonah. He details how lots cast during a storm repeatedly identified Jonah, exploring whether this constitutes a legitimate method for determining guilt or a unique divine intervention. The discussion references commentaries like the Barbanel and the book Chassidim. Later, the host outlines a three-part halachic framework: using lots for future prediction (like horoscopes) is forbidden; using them to divide property or mitzvot (like who says Kaddish) is permitted; and using them to uncover a hidden truth (like finding a thief) is conditionally permitted, requiring corroborating evidence. The episode also delves into more mystical practices like 'Goralot Achol,' a Kabbalistic method of divination using dots, questioning its permissibility. It concludes with a lengthy, practical case study about a yeshiva fundraising raffle where a prize was grossly misrepresented, exploring the legal and ethical responsibilities of the institutions involved.

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from הרב מאיר אליהו