Question:
I was watching a hypnosis show, and to me it seemed like black magic “like putting somebody under a spell”
Is hypnosis allowed?
Does it have any connection to forbidden “black magic”
Thanks!
Answer:
Hello,
Rav Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe Y:D 3:44) writes that hypnosis is not considered “magic” rather it works through a natural mechanism. However, he writes that it shouldn’t be done unless it is being used for medical treatment, since it is degrading for a human being to be in such a state. (Rav Moshe adds that the allowance is on condition that the hypnotizer will not tell the person in the state of hypnosis to do something prohibited.)
All the best
Sources:
Igros Moshe Y:D 3:44. See also Binyan Tzion 1:67 (brought in Darchei Teshuva 179:6, Minchas Yitzchak 6:80 and Shevet Haleivi 9:174) who discusses a procedure called “Magnetization” which seems similar to hypnosis. See also Shevet Haleivi ibid.
