HAIFA —Would Maimonides also be swept up in the Harry Potter craze? Would he classify Harry Potter's magic as pagan worship?  A father-daughter research team asserts that the Rambam, Hebrew acronym for the great medieval Jewish philosopher-theologian, would not classify it as pagan worship.

Prof. Menachem Kellner, of the Department of Jewish History and Thought at the University of Haifa, and his daughter Rivka Kellner, a doctoral candidate in literature Bar-Ilan University, will present a joint paper, "The Magic of Science and the Science of Magic: Harry Potter and Maimonides" at a University of Haifa conference, "Expressions of Science—A Scientific, Literary Journey with Jules Verne," to be held this week

According to the Kellners, many generations of researchers have deliberated how to define magic. Special attention has been paid to distinguishing between magic and science, on one hand, and between magic and religion, on the other hand.

They explain that Maimonides rejected the kind of magic that was supernatural, that could not be explained. This he saw as being in competition with religion.

J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter's version of magic, however, is different, they claim. This magic is similar to normal science, and it is explainable--whether we understand it or not.

For example, the researchers cite the Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft in the Potter books. The fictional school, they contend, teaches magic in a "scientific" way. The use of magic in the world of Harry Potter depends on study and training, as well as on the talent of the performer. It is something with an explanation.

"Nothing in Harry Potter's world is based on anything that is in principle impossible to know," the Kellners argue.  "The magic of that world is not supernatural.  It is based on aspects of the natural universe of which we humans are simply unaware.

"There are no occult properties or forces beyond investigation. In principle, there is an explanation for everything, even if Albus Dumbledore (headmaster of the Hogwarts School ) himself doesn't always know what it is."

The Kellners also point out that "most importantly, the magical world of Harry Potter is thoroughly secular." Unlike the magic condemned by Maimonides, the magic in the world created by Rowling does not lead to idolatry or paganism.

"It ignores astrology almost entirely. It does not constitute a rival to religion, and it certainly doesn't propose to be an alternative to religion. In fact, the books almost totally ignore religion."

The Kellners find the Harry Potter books unlike another contemporary craze, The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis. The Narnia books connect their magic to Christianity.

In addition to the Kellners' lecture, the Jules Verne conference will include researchers and experts who examine different perspectives of methods of science, scientists, and subjects like technology, advancement, space and time representations, in different frameworks, for children and youth.

The conference, sponsored by UNESCO in conjunction with the University of Haifa 's Hecht Museum , the Haifa Science Museum , and Gordon College , takes place in the University's Faculty of Education Complex May 16-17.  The website for further information:  http://julesverne.haifa.ac.il 

Schwab is an intern in the external relations department of the University of Haifa