A PARTIAL LIST OF 'KABBALIST' SCAMS

compiled by Shelomo Alfassa based in part upon the work by Rabbi Aryeh Schechter

If you do not have a personal rabbi, get one or the kabbalists will get you. You must understand
that 'psychics' and false 'kabbalists' have their own interests. They always strive to show
mystical powers that they do not possess.

1) Name Change: If they tell you to change your name and so that your fortune will change, never do so without discussing it this with your rabbi.

2) Cost: If they post a Suggested Fee... (such as $180 dollars) & if beware they may infer that if you do not pay them the suggested fee, their 'blessings' may have the opposite affect on you.

3) Mezuzah: If they ask you to show them a mezuzah from your house, they will always make sure to find something wrong with it. They'll claim that even if it may be kosher, it is the cause of "all your troubles." If they sell you one, as a replacement-you're most certainly going to overpay for something you did not need in the first place!

4) Ketubah (Marriage Contract): If they ask you to show them your ketubah, you are looking for trouble (maybe show them your bank account and medical records too!?). A ketubah is nothing more than a private marital contract, not an amulet. If they ask you to rewrite it or change the nams on the ketubah --do not do it - consult with your rabbi.

5) Ayin Harah (Evil Eye): They may can claim that someone you know is giving you the evil eye - and only they can see it and cure it, often for a fee. The kabbalists customary fee is often $72 just for testing if they can "detect" the 'evil eye.' If they feel the evil eye is there, they often will charge an additional fee (sometimes $360) for each attempt to "cure" it! This is nothing but a scam.

6) Tax Deductible: They, generally claim that the monies do not go towards their own pocket, instead it goes towards supporting some type of school, kollel or yeshiva and the contributions are tax deductible. Even if it's true, it is not kosher money. It just shows that they are good conmen and fundraisers. Often it is illegal what they are doing.

7) Haskamot (references): They will show what they call letters of recommendation from rabbis. Most people do not bother reading them. Many letters are outdated and were acquire before they started charging for their activity. Some are just simply bogus.

8) Not Fasting: Some of these people will tell you that there are "Fasts" to remove the evil eye and other things, BUT, if you make a donation, they will say a special prayer on your behalf and you don't have to Fast. Yes, you heard that right, as long as you donate money, you do not have to Fast.

9) Health Danger: They are even known to have talked people into having taken family members off of medication. They are extremely convincing and persuasive, not to mention the obvious danger (it has already resulted in fatal consequences).

10) Healer of Diseases: One kabbalist publicizes in his letterhead, that he's able to cure anything! For a childless couple, the kabbalist requested a sofer (scribe), to write letters of some sort of holy letters on a piece of klaf (kosher parchment). The letters would be erased on contact with liquid that would be given to the childless couple to drink. One kabblaist wanted it written with human milk! The milk was to be a mixture of two nursing mothers, mother and daughter!!

11) Face Reading: If he says he is "reading" your face, he is doing nothing more than following a 16th century non-Jewish custom which for about 100 years was a popular mythical practice.

12) Sotah: One kabbalist once wrote some words on a klaf (kosher parchment) on a person's throat. Afterward, he erased the writing in wine and made a man drink it, like a sotah (an adultress)! (1)

(1) In the Talmud, a woman who is accused of committing adultery is called a sotah (literally translated as, "one who has strayed.") If she denied the claim, under certain, rare circumstances in Temple times she was forced to drink a concoction which reveals whether she is guilty or innocent. If she is truly innocent, once she drinks it, God showers her and her family with blessings. However, if she is guilty, the drink causes her stomach to rupture, killing her. -BT Sotah 6a

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