Shimon* had been the baal koreh in his shul for as long as anyone could remember. In the early years, the minyan was small—fifteen men on a regular Shabbos, twenty on a “big week.” He knew every face, every seat, every little detail in the room. Leining was second nature.
But neighborhoods have a way of changing. A few new homes went up… then a few more. Suddenly the once-cozy shul became standing-room-only. Rows doubled. The ezras nashim filled. And Shimon began to feel something he never expected: fear.
It hit him one Shabbos like a wave. His hands turned sweaty. His face went hot. He felt himself shaking as he said the brachah. By Sheini he was short of breath. By Chamishi he could barely think.
After a few difficult weeks, he finally visited his doctor. The diagnosis surprised him.
“You’re describing a panic disorder,” the doctor said gently. “It’s actually very common in people who perform in public. One treatment that works extremely well is clinical hypnosis. It teaches your body to relax so the anxiety doesn’t take over.”
Shimon blinked.
“Hypnosis? Is that even allowed?”
The doctor shrugged. “From a medical standpoint it’s safe, standard, and effective. But ask your Rav if you’re unsure.”
So, he did.
The Rav Hesitates
When Shimon explained the suggestion, his Rav’s eyebrows went up.
“Hypnosis? I don’t know…” the Rav said slowly. “Is it a problem of kishuf? And if it puts you into some kind of trance—how can you lein for the tzibbur in that state?”
Not wanting to give a rushed answer, the Rav picked up the phone and called the Refuah B’Halacha Center, which he relied on often for complicated medical-halachic questions.
A Rav at the Center answered.
“Refuah B’Halacha center, how can I help?”
The Conversation
“Here’s the situation,” the local Rav began. “My baal koreh is experiencing panic attacks. His doctor recommended hypnosis. But I’m nervous—what does halacha say about this?”
The Rav at the Center responded immediately.
“You’re asking good questions. Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l discusses this in Yoreh De’ah II:29 and III:44, and the Binyan Tzion as well in siman 67. Let’s go through it.”
“First,” he continued, “regarding kishuf: Rav Moshe zt”l and the Binyan Tzion both write clearly that hypnosis, as practiced medically, has no element of kishuf whatsoever.”
“So that part is not an issue?”
“Correct,” said the Center’s Rav. “The only concern mentioned is based on the assumption—common in earlier generations—that hypnosis puts a person into a kind of sleep or lowered awareness. Rav Moshe zt”l was concerned about the vulnerability of a person in such a state.”
The local Rav hesitated. “But if he’s not fully aware… then how can he lein?”
“Exactly. But here’s the key point,” the Center’s Rav explained. “When this was clarified to Rav Moshe’s son, Rav Dovid Feinstein zt”l, he confirmed that modern clinical hypnosis is not like sleep. It’s actually the opposite.”
“How so?”
“During hypnosis, the body relaxes, but the mind becomes sharper and more focused. The person is fully conscious and fully aware. They cannot be forced to do anything against their values. In fact, brain studies show that people under hypnosis often have more mental activation than people who are awake—and far more than people who are asleep.”
“So, the trance isn’t really a trance?” the Rav asked.
“Not in the way people imagine it. It’s an enhanced-focus state. For someone like a baal koreh—or even a baal tokeah—it can actually help them concentrate better. He can even be taught to enter a mild relaxation state on his own before leining.”
“So, he would be able to lein with full kavana?”
“Absolutely. And he would certainly be able to be motzi the tzibbur.”
The Rav let out a long, relieved breath.
“Baruch Hashem. I’ll let him know.”
A Breath of Relief
Shimon went for the therapy. Within a short time he learned how to relax his body, quiet the anxiety, and restore the calm confidence he once had.
And soon enough, the familiar, steady voice of the baal koreh returned to the bimah—no shaking, no redness, no shortness of breath. Just clear, heartfelt reading of the Torah for a growing kehilla.
*Names and details changed.
At the Refuah B’Halacha Center, we are here to provide guidance for real-life challenges, big and small. Whether it’s a question about Shabbos, kashrus, or navigating difficult personal situations, our experienced Rabbunim are ready to listen and advise.
If you ever find yourself wondering about a medical halacha question — big or small, serious or just something that’s been on your mind — remember that you don’t have to figure it out alone. The Refuah B’Halacha Center is here to help, with experienced rabbanim available to guide you through even the most sensitive or confusing situations.
Our Rabbanim;
R’ Yaakov Forchheimer shlit”a
R’ Noach Isaac Oelbuam shlit”a
R’ Shmuel Fuerst shlit”a
R’ Uri Deutch shlit”a
R’ Micha Cohen shlit”a
R’ Moshe Zev Feldman shlit”a
R’ Baruch Hirshfeld shlit”a
R’ Daniel Neustadt shlit”a
R’ Avrohom Yaged shlit”a
We specialize in
- Mental health
- Shabbos
- Treatment issues
- Hospital stays
- Fertility
- Kashrus
We are here Sunday through Friday 8:00 am till 10:00 pm and erev Shabbos 10 minutes before candle lighting.
