There is another important question with regard to geneivas daas; magic. The magician acts with sleight of hand. He seems to perform one way when in reality he is doing something else. The Rambam writes that certain types of sorcerers perform various tricks, such as putting a piece of rope in his clothes, and coming out with a snake. He writes that this is geneivas daas.

It is possible to differentiate between the Rambam’s case and magic of nowadays. In the Rambam’s case they were performing real kishuf (sorcery), whereas nowadays it is merely sleight of hand. However, the Bach writes that even when there is no real sorcery, magic is forbidden because people believe that he is performing genuine magic.

Nonetheless, it seems that one can still differentiate between the cases above (where there was genuine kishuf or where the magician pretends that he is performing kishuf)) and when the magician begins by announcing that he is not performing real magic, and it is all illusion. In such a case, it seems that even the Rambam would allow this. Rav Moshe Feinstein and indeed paskens in this way. For anyone considering a career involving magic, it is strongly advisable to discuss the issues involved with an Orthodox Rabbi.

Text Copyright © 2009 by Rabbi Yehonasan Gefen and Torah.org Visit Rabbi Gefen’s new blog at rabbiygefen.blogspot.com. Rabbi Gefen’s new book, The Guiding Light, is now available! To order, please contact Rabbi Gefen at [email protected] or 00972 52 761 9935.