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There is a method of finding underground water called Dowsing, or Water Divination. It involves walking through a field with a stick until the stick moves, which indicates there is water underneath the ground at that point.

Regardless of whether it actually works, I'm curious if any Poskim speak about it. If so, do they discuss whether it is permissible?

On one hand, I can see it being permissible if it is considered a skill, with no supernatural elements to it (similar to a way a chef is more sensitive to, and able to identify, ingredients and spices in food). On the other hand, I can see it being forbidden if it is considered some kind of witchcraft.

[Not that it matters to the question, but I live in an area where most of the water is supplied by wells, and dowsing is the method of identifying where to dig for wells]

Menachem
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  • Why are you disregarding whether it works? Why do you assume that the question is somehow unrelated to that? – mevaqesh Nov 26 '17 at 02:20
  • Why do you think it would be witchcraft? Which prohibition in particular do you think it might be? What is the category of "considered a skill" and where do you see it relevant to the laws of witchcraft? – mevaqesh Nov 26 '17 at 02:22
  • I want to see if rabbis discussed it in the past. I don't care whether people think it works or not. -- when I used the word skill, I meant that it is completely natural and not supernatural – Menachem Nov 26 '17 at 03:08
  • @mevaqesh, I believe there is Machlokes among the Rishonim (Rambam vs. most others) if Witchcraft actually exists or ever did. According to most Rishonim it is not forbidden unless it works. – Hershy S. Nov 26 '17 at 03:27
  • @heshy I know that, but don't see how it clarifies the question. – mevaqesh Nov 26 '17 at 04:07
  • @menachem I don't understand why you think it might operate according to the laws of nature, but regardless, clarifications should be edited into the question. – mevaqesh Nov 26 '17 at 04:08
  • @mevaqesh, it gives opening to a possible nafka mina if Witchcraft as a prohibition is limited to that which works. Just justifying the qualifying component of the question. – Hershy S. Nov 26 '17 at 04:19
  • It can be argued that Hosea 4:12 discusses dowsing as an example of prohibited occult activity: "My people: It consults its stick,Its rod directs it! A lecherous impulse has made them go wrong, And they have strayed from submission to their God." – Hayyim Rothman May 01 '23 at 08:45

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A new book was recently published titled "Shulchan HaLevi on Alternative Medicine". It is a posthumous publication on Rabbi Yisroel Belsky's view of various Energy healing methods. In it (page 36), he clearly forbids Dowsing as a form of Avoda Zara. He adds that - "Furthermore, this whole system fits in exacly with what the Rishonim describe as the prohibition of kosem kesamim, divination." Also, there is an unusually long footnote which includes a comprehensive compilation of Responsa prohibiting similar methods.

To quote from the sefer, "If a person discovers that he has a problem or medical condition, he should go to a doctor and get a scratch test; that's the best way to find out what you're allergic to."

mbloch
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Hershy S.
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    Is kosem kesamim avoda zara? Does he say it is the former or the latter? – mevaqesh Nov 26 '17 at 04:06
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    What does the last paragraph have to do with the question? – mevaqesh Nov 26 '17 at 04:09
  • To get a clear picture i would suggest you read the Sefer (it's in english). He places many methods under a general title of "Avoda Zara", and he points out that it fits into kosem kesamim. (I try to be careful with my wording) – Hershy S. Nov 26 '17 at 04:11
  • Given that kosem kesamim is it's own prohibition, I'm not sure why the two are being conflated. I don't have the work, and I suspect many other users don't either. Answers shouldn't require users to consult other works to understand them. – mevaqesh Nov 26 '17 at 04:15
  • I get that, but i think my answer is self contained and understandable. I refer you to the work only because i am not answering with my own authority, but rather quoting a psak. – Hershy S. Nov 26 '17 at 04:17
  • Also, the OP seems to be asking according to the possibility that it is effective. (Why anyone would ask such a question, is beyond me). If r. Belsky is only answering according to the assumption that this is not effective according to the laws of nature, then I don't think it answers. – mevaqesh Nov 26 '17 at 04:18
  • Great, I edited an update to that effect – Hershy S. Nov 26 '17 at 04:23
  • Offhand, I am not aware of any rishonim who understand kosem kesamim prognostications to be naturalistic, so I wouldn't think this answers the question. Consider clarifying. notably, this isn't even attempting to predict the future, as in ohez bmaklo, but to find existing water... – mevaqesh Nov 26 '17 at 04:25
  • Wait, are you saying energy healing is kosem kesamim, avoda zara, or some other prohibition? Please clarify. Or better, remove it as distracting information. – mevaqesh Nov 26 '17 at 04:28
  • Is the conclusion that it applies regardless of efficacy yours, or his? – mevaqesh Nov 26 '17 at 04:29
  • ok, sorry about the second paragraph, in the sefer, the author disscusses dowsing as used to identify allergies, but i think it is safe to assume that all dowsing fall under the same problem – Hershy S. Nov 26 '17 at 04:44
  • @mbloch thanks! Btw, I was just pinged, without the @ sign before my name, is that because it is a comment to my q? – Hershy S. Nov 26 '17 at 04:52
  • @mbloch, perhaps search for pendulum dowsing – Hershy S. Nov 26 '17 at 04:55
  • https://www.holisticshop.co.uk/articles/guide-pendulum-dowsing – Hershy S. Nov 26 '17 at 04:55
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    Interesting - but most likely not what the questioner had in mind - since he mentions water and sticks - not pendulums - just make sure R Belsky is addressing the water dowsing being asked about. Kol tuv – mbloch Nov 26 '17 at 04:57