I would like to study a course on facial features and body language. I wanted to ask whether it is permitted to study this according to Halacha?
Thank you very much.
To the extent that the course teaches how to interpret a person’s character and traits based on facial features and body language, this is permitted.
However, if the course teaches “fortune-telling” based on facial features and/or body language, this is forbidden by the Torah, which commanded us, “You shall be wholehearted with Hashem your God,” and not to inquire after the future.
It is important to clarify that assessing, through a person’s facial features, which occupation is recommended for him based on the traits of his soul is not considered inquiring about the future. Rather, it is an assessment of existing character traits and determining accordingly which occupation is recommended for a person—what suits him according to his character, and the like—and this is permitted.
With blessings,
Rabbi David Ohayon
This response was translated automatically from Hebrew and has not yet been reviewed by a person. It may therefore contain inaccuracies and should not be considered a definitive reference.
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