Sorcery and Witchcraft

Parshat שופטים discusses various types of sorcery and witchcraft. The Torah warns against getting involved in such practices as well as consulting the dead. This particular section ends with the words, תמים תהיה עם ה׳ אלוקיך, that we are to be trusting of Hashem and not rely on these practices. The word “תמים” is also a word that describes someone who is naive. This shows how we are to place our absolute trust in Hashem without any reservation. This trust also demands of us that we have patience. We must not make assumptions on when we think we are entitled to the results we are seeking. Hashem acts as He sees fit. Consulting sorcery and witchcraft is an attempt for a shortcut to immediate results. This is especially true today in a world of fast foods and e-mail. People lose their patience. Our faith requires us to work hard and realize that everything comes in its proper time. No impure intermediaries need to be consulted.