Astrology in Judaism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Judaism has a unique approach to understanding how the movement of the heavenly bodies affects people’s actions. Because it was developed separately from mainstream astrology, it has some different features but also much in common. There are different opinions on astrology throughout Jewish texts.
Contents |
[edit] The Torah
The proofs start with the Torah, the first Jewish text. In Genesis 1:14, it says, “They (the sun, moon, and stars) shall serve as signs...” This verse is, by some, interpreted to refer to astrology, and that the Torah recognizes astrology as one of the purposes of creation. It says in Deuteronomy 18:9-10, “Do not copy the abominations of the nations... there shall not be found among you... an astrologer...,” so that the Torah might also, by some, seem to condemn astrology. The prophets are similarly disdainful of astrology with negative responses to the other nations’ use of the practice. It is also worthy of mention that in Daniel, Chapter 2, that the astrologers (called Chaldeans) are unable to understand the king’s dream while Daniel can.
[edit] The Apocrypha
In the apocrypha, there are many references to astrology. The Book of Jubilees said that Abraham overcame the beliefs of astrologers by accepting one God, while the Book of Enoch says that one of the sins of the Nephilim, the giants in Noah’s time, was astrology.
[edit] The Talmudic Period
In the Talmudic period there are many references to astrology and many Talmudic Rabbis seem to accept astrology. In Shabbat 119a, it lists times where astrological predictions were true. They believed that each person had a mazzal from his day and hour of birth, a particular star that was his patron and determines who he will be. There were people who believed that there were really twelve mazzalot that corresponded to the zodiac signs. They control the fate of the people born under them as well as the world. For instance, they say, the Deluge started in Cheshvan because its zodiac sign is the Scorpio, a water animal. Talmudic commentaries also touch on the subject of astrology. Tosefta says that in Genesis 24:1 when God blesses Abraham with everything, it means astrology. Mechilta says that when Yitro gave Moshe tips on governing Israel, he suggested astrology. Eclesiasties Rabbah says that King Solomon gained much of his wisdom from astrology. It is also interesting to note that the Jewish calendar is based on the moon, and therefore lunar eclipses are viewed as bad luck, an element partially taken from astrology. Josephus said that astrology was very common among the Jews of his day. However, many rabbis were skeptical of astrology, particularly of how truthful astrologers were and how error-free the process was. Some people said that stars’ power did not affect Israel, because astrology was made by God.
[edit] Medieval Times
Many medieval rabbis had similar beliefs on the subject. Besides those such as Saadia Gaon, who considered astrology a science and Kabbalists, rabbis said that astrology controlled events, but good deeds could negate the stars' influences. Maimonides in particular criticized astrology, saying that it is not a science and that the Beit Hamikdash was destroyed because of its practice.
[edit] Conclusion
While there are several views on the subject in the modern day, it is relatively safe to say that the majority of modern rabbis reject astrology as a major factor in life. [verification needed]
[edit] Further reading
- Anderson, Carl. Astrology of the Old Testament, Or: The Lost Word Regained. Kessinger Publishing: USA, 1997. ISBN 1564599302.
- Berg, Philip. Astrology, the Star Connection: The Science of Judaic Astrology. Research Centre of Kabbalah: USA, 1987. ISBN 094368837X.
- Berg, Philip. Kabbalistic Astrology Made Easy. Research Centre of Kabbalah: USA, 1999. ISBN 157189053X.
- Berg, Rav P. S. Kabbalistic Astrology: And the Meaning of Our Lives. Kabbalah Publishing: USA, 2006. ISBN 1571895566.
- Dobin, Joel C. Kabbalistic Astrology: The Sacred Tradition of the Hebrew Sages. Inner Traditions: USA, 1999. ISBN 0892817631.
- Ezra, Abraham Ben Meir Ibn. The Beginning of Wisdom (Reshith Hochma). ARHAT Publications: USA, 1998. ISBN 096622664X.
- Ezra, Abraham Ben Meir Ibn. The Book of Reasons (Sefer Ha'te'amim). The Golden Hind Press: USA, 1994.
- Glazerson, Matityahu. Above the Zodiac: Astrology in Jewish Thought. Aronson Publishers: USA, 1996. ISBN 1568219350.
- Levy, Raphael. The Astrological Works of Abraham Ibn Ezra. Johns Hopkins Press: Baltimore, 1927.
- Mashallah. On Reception. ARHAT Publications: USA, 1997. ISBN 0966226623.
- Molnar, Michael. The Star of Bethlehem: The Legacy of the Magi. Rutgers University Press: USA. 1999.
- Wedel, Theodore Otto. Astrology in the Middle Ages. Dover Publications: Mineola, 2005. ISBN 048643642X.
