One of the best magicians I've seen (and I happen to have seen a LOT of great magicians) is Rabbi Ben Cohen. Last year, someone in our community voiced his objection to taking kids to magic shows. Ben's wife shared some sources, which led me to do a deep dive. This article was the result: https://rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/p/emor-kedoshim-should-kids-be-taken-dee
I'll add that at the most recent magic performance by Ben (this past Purim), he did some feats of mentalism that were so astonishing that several of us half-jokingly asked, "Did he cross the issur de'oraisa line just now?" We respect Ben's halachic integrity enough to know that he wouldn't deliberately do anything that violated halacha, but some of his tricks definitely seemed to skirt the line, for the reasons you mention in your article.
Over Shavuot I developed (in conversation with greater rabbonim than myself) a mentalism routine designed to be very careful with disclaimers and to be fully educational in nature - highlighting the dangers of giving over autonomy to "psychic readings" and the like by demonstrating the underlying principles used by such people in action. It was a great experience that the whole auditorium seemed to benefit from. But I'll get into more of that in part two :)
I've heard that certain frum magicians, hypnotists, mentalists etc. have given such disclaimers, and that after the performances, audience members seriously conclude, "He had REAL powers, and he's just being modest." Curious to hear if your presentation can withstand that kind of disclaimer-underminer!
Without giving too much of the next article away, the "trick" is making the disclaimer itself a consistent theme of the performance such that it's a constant point of reference rather than just a quick line at the beggining or end.
EXTREMELY INTERESTING
Cannot wait for Pt. 2
One of the best magicians I've seen (and I happen to have seen a LOT of great magicians) is Rabbi Ben Cohen. Last year, someone in our community voiced his objection to taking kids to magic shows. Ben's wife shared some sources, which led me to do a deep dive. This article was the result: https://rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/p/emor-kedoshim-should-kids-be-taken-dee
I'll add that at the most recent magic performance by Ben (this past Purim), he did some feats of mentalism that were so astonishing that several of us half-jokingly asked, "Did he cross the issur de'oraisa line just now?" We respect Ben's halachic integrity enough to know that he wouldn't deliberately do anything that violated halacha, but some of his tricks definitely seemed to skirt the line, for the reasons you mention in your article.
Over Shavuot I developed (in conversation with greater rabbonim than myself) a mentalism routine designed to be very careful with disclaimers and to be fully educational in nature - highlighting the dangers of giving over autonomy to "psychic readings" and the like by demonstrating the underlying principles used by such people in action. It was a great experience that the whole auditorium seemed to benefit from. But I'll get into more of that in part two :)
I've heard that certain frum magicians, hypnotists, mentalists etc. have given such disclaimers, and that after the performances, audience members seriously conclude, "He had REAL powers, and he's just being modest." Curious to hear if your presentation can withstand that kind of disclaimer-underminer!
Without giving too much of the next article away, the "trick" is making the disclaimer itself a consistent theme of the performance such that it's a constant point of reference rather than just a quick line at the beggining or end.
Ooh! As a teacher, I LOVE this already!
Fascination in mounds