255. What About an Extra-Large?: The prohibition against acting as a medium

An “ov,” translated here as “medium,” is a type of sorcerer who would make what appear to be other-worldly voices speak by way of ventriloquism. (The same would be true of smoke and mirrors or electronic trickery.) It is equally forbidden to act as a medium and to consult one.

The reason for this mitzvah is what we said in Mitzvah #250: it’s wrong to try and fool people into thinking you have supernatural abilities. Such tricksters lead people away from what’s real.

This mitzvah applies to both men and women in all times and places. It is discussed in the Talmud in tractate Sanhedrin on pages 65a-b. It is codified in the Mishneh Torah in the sixth chapter of Hilchos Avodas Kochavim. It is #8 of the 365 negative mitzvos in the Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvos and #170 of the 194 negative mitzvos that can be fulfilled today as listed in the Sefer HaMitzvos HaKatzar of the Chofetz Chaim.