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ןנברמ אברוצ םנועמו ,ףשכמ ,שחנמ תוכלה · 139

explain that in the permitted cases, one desires that they serve as a positive sign, but one does not rely on
them entirely. If they do not achieve the desired results, one will then pray to Hashem for success, and it is
therefore permitted (Magen Giborim and Keren Ora on Horayot 12a). Others suggest that such omens are
designed to inspire a person to pray to Hashem for a favorable outcome and strive to achieve that outcome
with one’s actions (Me’iri on Horayot 12a). In fact, for this reason we recite a short prayer related to each one
of the foods eaten on Rosh Hashana for this very purpose, as this demonstrates that the goal is to pray to
Hashem, rather than having the omens determine the outcome.
Another instance of a permitted manner of making an omen is cited by the Shulchan Aruch (based on the
Gemara in Chullin 95b).

a Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 179:4 ד:טעק ד״וי | ע״וש . 16

[An event with regard to] a house, a child, or a wife, even .ןמיס שי ,שוחינ ןיאש יפ לע ףא השאו קונית ,תיב
though there is no prohibition of omens, is considered a sign.
ןכו .אל וא םימעפ 'ג הז רחא חילצה םא :הגה
Rema: [i.e., a sign] as to whether he will succeed after this .ךיקוספ יל קוספ :קוניתל רמול רתומ
three times, or the opposite. Similarly, it is permitted to say
to a child: Tell me the verse that you learned.

The Shach explains that this too is not similar to the forbidden types of omens because one is using them to
shed light on events that have already occurred. This is called a siman, which is permitted to interpret, and
not a nichush, upon which it is forbidden to act.

a Shach, Yoreh Deah 179:4 ד:טעק ד״וי | ך"ש . 17
A house – Rashi explains [this as referring to one who] אשנ וא ןב ול דלונ וא תיב הנב י"שרפ – 'וכ תיב
builds a house or a child was born to him or he got שחנל רוסאש שוחינ ןיאש יפ לע ףא השא
married. Although this does not constitute divination, as it יוה אמלעב םינמיס 'יס שי שוחינה לע ךומסלו
is forbidden to rely on divination, [nevertheless] here it is תיבה הנבש רחא הנושאר הרוחסב חילצמ יאד
considered a sign that if he is successful in his first business אוה ןמיס השאה אשנש וא קוניתה דלונש וא
deal after building a house or having a child or getting יאדמ רתוי ליגרי לא ואל םאו חילצמו ךלוהש
married, it is a sign that he will be successful. If he wasn’t
[successful], he should not put too much effort into these :חילצי אלש שוחל שיש
endeavors, as there is a chance that he won’t be successful.

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