Page 153 - Tzurba M'Rabanan Volume1

ןנברמ אברוצ םנועמו ,ףשכמ ,שחנמ תוכלה · 151

Sefer Yetzira

Although as discussed above, sorcery is generally prohibited, the Gemara in Sanhedrin 65b quoted above also
stated that certain amora’im actually used the Sefer Yetzira, a mystical book of instructions about creation,
to create animals. Evidently, using such a holy book in a manner of sanctity to perform miraculous actions
is not considered sorcery according to halacha. Some authorities maintain though that it is inappropriate to
do so unless it is to rescue individuals in danger, sanctifying Hashem’s Name, or performing a major mitzva
(Shach on Yoreh Deah 179).
It is well known that like these sages in the Gemara, there were some great rabbis who allegedly created a
being called a “golem” through the Sefer Yetzira. The Mishna Berura cites a discussion whether such a figure
(if real) may count for a minyan.

a Mishna Berura 55:4 ד:הנ | הרורב הנשמ . 38

[With regard to] whether a person created by the Sefer ףרטצמ םא ,הריצי רפס י”ע רצונה םדא…
Yetzira counts towards ten [needed for a minyan] and other תבושתב ןייע – השודקבש רבד לכלו הרשעל
matters of holiness [that require a minyan], see the Responsa המ ,”םיניד ירקיע“ רפסבו גס ןמיס ”יבצ םכח“
Chacham Tzvi 63 and the sefer Ikarei HaDinim what is written .הז ןיינעב בתכש
about this.

The Chazon Ish holds that a golem is not considered a Jew, and possibly not a person at all; therefore, it
cannot count for a minyan.

p Chazon Ish, Yoreh Deah, ,ד״וי | שיא ןוזח . 39
Masechet Nidda 116 (66):1 א תוא )וס( זטק הדינ תכסמ

With regard to one who is created using Sefer Yetzira, it תויוכז לכ ול ןיאד הארנ – הריצי רפסב ארבנש…
would seem that he does not have any rights of a Jew, and םכח”ב( םדא תויוכז םג ול ןיאש בורקו ,לארשי
likely does not have any human rights (though the Chacham …)הזב קפתסנ ”יבצ
Tzvi is uncertain)…

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