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Commentary:
through fire For Molekh; see Leviticus 18:21 (Sanhedrin 64b).
| stick divination Kasam in Hebrew. Some say that this denotes tapping a stick to produce a meditative state so as to be able to predict the future (Yad, Avodath Kokhavim 11:6). Others describe it as peeling one side of a stick and seeing on which side it falls (Sefer Mitzvoth Gadol, Negative 52; Paaneach Razah), or grasping a stick and measuring off to the end with one's fingers, calling off positive and negative responses (Chizzkuni; cf. Sifri; Rashi). Some say that the kesem includes all sorts of meditative methods used to predict the future (Ralbag; Chinukh 510). It may also include geomancy (Yad, loc. cit.; Sefer HaMitzvoth, Negative 31), and divination by lots in general (Rashi on Ezekiel 21:27; cf. Septuagint).
| divines auspicious times See Leviticus 19:26.
| divines by omens Ibid.
| witchcraft See Exodus 22:17.
| uses incantations Chover chaver in Hebrew. This denotes incantations in general (Yad, Avodath Kokhavim 11:10; Septuagint). In particular, it denotes using incantations to gather demons (Ibn Ezra), or animals (Targum Yonathan; Radak, Sherashim; Sefer Mitzvoth Gadol, Negative 64; cf. Sanhedrin 65b). It can also involve incantations to cure snakebites and the like, and, possibly, those used in alchemy (Saadia; Sefer HaMitzvoth, Negative 35; Yad, loc. cit.).
| mediums and oracles See Leviticus 19:31.
| communicate with the dead Through fasting (Sanhedrin 65b) and meditation (Ralbag).
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