Yaakov Hillel, Feldheim, 1990
Rabbi Hillel is regarded as one of the foremost Kabbalists in the world. Interesting, although he lives in Israel and of Sefardi extraction, he grew up in Manchester and is very accessible to the English speaking public. This small book (a significant part of which is rabbinical approbations) is a translation of Chacham Hillel’s Hebrew work on the theme of the occult from a Torah perspective. Disturbed that many, even very observant, people get involved with occult practices that are strictly forbidden by Jewish law, he clearly and simply distinguishes between permitted and prohibited practices. Having discussed the true basis of the Kabbalistic tradition, the author offers an alphabetic list of common practices, each of which he assesses and rules on. Everything is properly sourced. Examples of practices considered are: communicating with the dead, palmistry, name checking, dream interpretation, casting lots and relying on omens. This is a work that I have consulted on many occasions.
Faith And Folly
