Also check out Part I, "Can Jews go to Hogwarts?"!
החלק הזה מעיין בעמדתו של אסטרולוגיה וגלגל המזלות בהסטוריה של מחשבת ישראל. למרות שאמונה בכחות מעל הטבע כאלו נשמעים מנואצים לאוזן המודרני, היחוס ההסטורי של היהודים עם האסטרולוגיה הוא יותר מסובח.
This section explores the role of astrology and the zodiac in historical Jewish thought. While belief in such supernatural forces might seem blasphemous to the modern ear, the historical Jewish relationship with astrology is far more complicated.
(15) For your own sake, therefore, be most careful—since you saw no shape when the LORD your God spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire— (16) not to act wickedly and make for yourselves a sculptured image in any likeness whatever: the form of a man or a woman, (17) the form of any beast on earth, the form of any winged bird that flies in the sky, (18) the form of anything that creeps on the ground, the form of any fish that is in the waters below the earth. (19) And when you look up to the sky and behold the sun and the moon and the stars, the whole heavenly host, you must not be lured into bowing down to them or serving them. These the LORD your God allotted to other peoples everywhere under heaven; (20) but you the LORD took and brought out of Egypt, that iron blast furnace, to be His very own people, as is now the case.
(ט) כִּ֤י אַתָּה֙ בָּ֣א אֶל־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־ה' אֱלֹקֶ֖יךָ נֹתֵ֣ן לָ֑ךְ לֹֽא־תִלְמַ֣ד לַעֲשׂ֔וֹת כְּתוֹעֲבֹ֖ת הַגּוֹיִ֥ם הָהֵֽם׃ (י) לֹֽא־יִמָּצֵ֣א בְךָ֔ מַעֲבִ֥יר בְּנֽוֹ־וּבִתּ֖וֹ בָּאֵ֑שׁ קֹסֵ֣ם קְסָמִ֔ים מְעוֹנֵ֥ן וּמְנַחֵ֖שׁ וּמְכַשֵּֽׁף׃ (יא) וְחֹבֵ֖ר חָ֑בֶר וְשֹׁאֵ֥ל אוֹב֙ וְיִדְּעֹנִ֔י וְדֹרֵ֖שׁ אֶל־הַמֵּתִֽים׃ (יב) כִּֽי־תוֹעֲבַ֥ת ה' כָּל־עֹ֣שֵׂה אֵ֑לֶּה וּבִגְלַל֙ הַתּוֹעֵבֹ֣ת הָאֵ֔לֶּה ה' אֱלֹקֶ֔יךָ מוֹרִ֥ישׁ אוֹתָ֖ם מִפָּנֶֽיךָ׃
מה טבעו של האיסור דאורייתא בפסוקים האלה?
האם אתם חושבים שהפסוקים מאסרים את האסטרולוגיה?
האם אין לקסם ועבודת כוכבים כח בכלל או האם יש להם כח אך אסור ליהודים להשתמש בו?
What is the nature of the Biblical prohibition in these verses?
Do you think astrology is prohibited by these sources?
Are magic and astral worship useless and ineffective or do they have a power that is off-limits to Jews?
אִיתְּמַר, רַבִּי חֲנִינָא אוֹמֵר: מַזָּל מַחְכִּים, מַזָּל מַעֲשִׁיר, וְיֵשׁ מַזָּל לְיִשְׂרָאֵל. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: אֵין מַזָּל לְיִשְׂרָאֵל. וְאַזְדָּא רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן לְטַעְמֵיהּ, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִנַּיִין שֶׁאֵין מַזָּל לְיִשְׂרָאֵל? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כֹּה אָמַר ה׳ אֶל דֶּרֶךְ הַגּוֹיִם אַל תִּלְמָדוּ וּמֵאוֹתוֹת הַשָּׁמַיִם אַל תֵּחָתּוּ כִּי יֵחַתּוּ הַגּוֹיִם מֵהֵמָּה״ — הֵם יֵחַתּוּ, וְלֹא יִשְׂרָאֵל.
It was stated that Rabbi Ḥanina says: A constellation makes one wise and a constellation makes one wealthy, and there is a constellation for the Jewish people that influences them. Rabbi Yoḥanan said: There is no constellation for the Jewish people. And Rabbi Yoḥanan follows his own reasoning, as Rabbi Yoḥanan said: From where is it derived that there is no constellation for the Jewish people? As it is stated: “Thus said the Lord: Learn not the way of the nations, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the nations are dismayed at them” (Jeremiah 10:2). The nations will be dismayed by them, but not the Jewish people.
מה היא המחלוקת אודות כח המזלות במימרא האמוראי?
על איזה עניין רבי חנינא ורבי יוחנן כן מסכימים?
What is the disagreement about the power of constellations in this Amoraic Statement?
What do Rabbi Hanina and Rabbi Yochanan agree about?
The ancient synagogue of Beit Alpha is located in the Beit She'an Valley, in the north-east of the country. The nearby ruins of Khirbet Beit Ilfa preserve the ancient name.
The mosaic floor of the synagogue was discovered in 1929, when members of Kibbutz Beit Alpha dug irrigation channels for their fields. Excavations were carried out the same year, exposing mosaics preserved intact for almost 1,500 years. Later excavations, in the early 1960s, exposed remains of some houses, indicating that the synagogue had stood in a Jewish village of the Byzantine period (5th-6th centuries).
The Zodiac appears in the central panel. These astrological signs, though condemned by the prophets, were widely used as decorative elements in both churches and synagogues of the Byzantine period. The twelve signs are arranged in a circle and accompanied by their Hebrew names. In the center of the zodiac, the sun god Helios is represented seated in a chariot drawn by four horses. The four seasons appear in the corners of the panel in the form of busts of winged women wearing jewels; they are inscribed with the Hebrew months initiating each season: Nisan (spring), Tamuz (summer), Tishri (autumn) and Tevet (winter).
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/beit-alpha
לאור המקורות הנראים לעיל, האם המציאות של פסיפס של גלגל המזלות בבית כנסת מתקופה המוקדם היא תופעה מפתיע?
In light of the sources presented above, is the existence of a zodiac mosaic in an ancient Jewish synagogue surprising?
(א) עַד אָנָה בִּכְיָה בְצִיּוֹן וּמִסְפֵּד בִּירוּשָׁלָיִם. תְּרַחֵם צִיּוֹן וְתִבְנֶה חוֹמוֹת יְרוּשָׁלָיִם:
(ב) אָז בַּחֲטָאֵינוּ חָרַב מִקְדָּשׁ וּבַעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ נִשְׂרַף הֵיכָל. בְּאֶרֶץ חֻבְּרָה לָהּ קָשְׁרָה מִסְפֵּד. וּצְבָא הַשָּׁמַיִם נָשְׂאוּ קִינָה: עד אנה:
...
(ו) טָלֶה רִאשׁוֹן בָּכָה בְּמַר נֶפֶשׁ. עַל כִּי כְבָשָׂיו לָטֶבַח הוּבָלוּ. יְלָלָה הִשְׁמִיעַ שׁוֹר בַּמְּרוֹמִים. כִּי עַל צַוָּארֵנוּ נִרְדַּפְנוּ כֻּלָּנוּ. עד אנה:
(ז) כּוֹכַב תְּאוֹמִים נִרְאָה חָלוּק. כִּי דַּם אַחִים נִשְׁפַּךְ כַּמַּיִם. לָאָרֶץ בִּקֵּשׁ לִפֹּל סַרְטָן. כִּי נִתְעַלַּפְנוּ מִפְּנֵי צָמָא. עד אנה:
(ח) מָרוֹם נִבְעַת מִפְּנֵי אַרְיֵה. כִּי שַׁאֲגָתֵנוּ לֹא עָלְתָה לַמָּרוֹם. נֶהֶרְגוּ בְתוּלוֹת וְגַם בַּחוּרִים. כִּי עַל כֵּן בְּתוּלָה קָדְרָה פָּנֶיהָ. עד אנה:
(ט) סִבֵּב מֹאזְנַיִם וּבִקֵּשׁ תְּחִנָּה. כִּי נִבְחַר לָנוּ מָוֶת מֵחַיִּים. עַקְרָב לָבַשׁ פַּחַד וּרְעָדָה. כִּי בְּחֶרֶב וּבְרָעָב שְׁפָטָנוּ צוּרֵנוּ. עד אנה:
...
(1) How long will there be crying in Zion and eulogies in Jerusalem? Have compassion for Zion and build the walls of Jerusalem.
(2) א. Then, for our sins, the Sanctuary was destroyed, and for our violations, the Temple building was burnt. ב. On Earth, they gathered to her, compiling a eulogy. And the host of the Heavens raised a lament. "How long..."
...
(6) ט. First the ram (Aries) cried with a bitter soul for the fact that his lambs were brought to slaughter. י. A wail was sounded by the bull (Taurus) among the heights, because we were all chased by the neck. "How long..."
(7) כ. The twin star (Gemini) seemed split apart, because the blood of brothers was spilled like water. ל. The crab (Cancer) wished to fall to the ground, because we were fainting from thirst. "How long..."
(8) מ. The high heavens were afraid of the lion (Leo) because our roar did not ascend to on high. נ. Young girls and boys were killed, so the maiden (Virgo)'s face looked upset. "How long..."
(9) ס. The balance (Libra) spun and wished for rest, because death was preferable to us over life. ע. The scorpion (Scorpio) wore fear and trembling, because our enemies judged us with sword and hunger. "How long..."
...
איך הדייון בעמדתו של גלגל המזלות ביהדות מבהיר את הקינה לעיל, שקראנו בתשעה באב?
How does this discussion of the zodiac in Judaism shed light on the Kinnah above, which we recited on Tisha B'Av?
אֵיזֶהוּ מְעוֹנֵן אֵלּוּ נוֹתְנֵי עִתִּים שֶׁאוֹמְרִים בְּאִצְטַגְנִינוּת יוֹם פְּלוֹנִי טוֹב יוֹם פְּלוֹנִי רַע יוֹם פְּלוֹנִי רָאוּי לַעֲשׂוֹת בּוֹ מְלָאכָה פְּלוֹנִית שָׁנָה פְּלוֹנִית אוֹ חֹדֶשׁ פְּלוֹנִי רַע לְדָבָר פְּלוֹנִי:
Maimonides (12th cent., Morocco and Egypt)
Who is a soothsayer? They that point at times, saying astrologically: "That day is a good one, that day is a bad one; that day is fit to do that particular work, but that year, or that month, is bad for that particular thing.11Ibid. G.
(טז) וּדְבָרִים הָאֵלּוּ כֻּלָּן דִּבְרֵי שֶׁקֶר וְכָזָב הֵן וְהֵם שֶׁהִטְעוּ בָּהֶן עוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים הַקַּדְמוֹנִים לְגוֹיֵי הָאֲרָצוֹת כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּנְהֲגוּ אַחֲרֵיהֶן. וְאֵין רָאוּי לְיִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁהֵם חֲכָמִים מְחֻכָּמִים לְהִמָּשֵׁךְ בַּהֲבָלִים אֵלּוּ וְלֹא לְהַעֲלוֹת עַל לֵב שֶׁיֵּשׁ תּוֹעֶלֶת בָּהֶן. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר כג כג) "כִּי לֹא נַחַשׁ בְּיַעֲקֹב וְלֹא קֶסֶם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל". וְנֶאֱמַר (דברים יח יד) "כִּי הַגּוֹיִם הָאֵלֶּה אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה יוֹרֵשׁ אוֹתָם אֶל מְעֹנְנִים וְאֶל קֹסְמִים יִשְׁמָעוּ וְאַתָּה לֹא כֵן" וְגוֹ'. כָּל הַמַּאֲמִין בִּדְבָרִים הָאֵלּוּ וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן וּמְחַשֵּׁב בְּלִבּוֹ שֶׁהֵן אֱמֶת וּדְבַר חָכְמָה אֲבָל הַתּוֹרָה אֲסָרָתַן אֵינָן אֶלָּא מִן הַסְּכָלִים וּמְחֻסְּרֵי הַדַּעַת וּבִכְלַל הַנָּשִׁים וְהַקְּטַנִּים שֶׁאֵין דַּעְתָּן שְׁלֵמָה. אֲבָל בַּעֲלֵי הַחָכְמָה וּתְמִימֵי הַדַּעַת יֵדְעוּ בִּרְאָיוֹת בְּרוּרוֹת שֶׁכָּל אֵלּוּ הַדְּבָרִים שֶׁאָסְרָה תּוֹרָה אֵינָם דִּבְרֵי חָכְמָה אֶלָּא תֹּהוּ וְהֶבֶל שֶׁנִּמְשְׁכוּ בָּהֶן חַסְרֵי הַדַּעַת וְנָטְשׁוּ כָּל דַּרְכֵי הָאֱמֶת בִּגְלָלָן. וּמִפְּנֵי זֶה אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה כְּשֶׁהִזְהִירָה עַל כָּל אֵלּוּ הַהֲבָלִים (דברים יח יג) "תָּמִים תִּהְיֶה עִם ה' אֱלֹקֶיךָ":
(16) All of these things are false and spurious, and it was with such that the ancient idolaters misled the peoples of many lands so that they be following them. And it is unbecoming to Israel who are exceedingly wise to be attracted by these absurdities, nor to even imagine that they are of any consequence, even as it is said: "For there is no enchantment with Jacob, neither is there any divination with Israel" (Num. 23.23); and it is again said: "For these nations that thou art to dispossess, hearken unto soothsayers and unto diviners, but as for thee the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do" (Deut. 18.14). Whosoever believes in these matters, and their like, and suppose that there is wisdom and truth in in them, save that the Torah disallowed them, such are none other save from among the foolish and ignorant and are to be included among women and children whose mind is not sound. But wise and sound-minded people know that all these matters which the Torah disallowed are not matters of wisdom but formless nonsense followed by senseless people for the sake of which they abandoned every path of truth. Even because thereof the Torah, in admonishing against all these vanities, commanded, saying: "Perfect shalt thou be with the Lord thy God" (Ibid. 18.13).
מה הוא דעת הרמב״ם על האסטרולוגיה?
איך דעתו שונה מדעת רבי חנינא לעיל?
האם דעתו גם שונה מדעתו של רבי יוחנן?
מה אולי השפיע על מהלכו הפילוסופי של הרמב״ם לאסטרולוגיה?
חשבו על מהלכם של הרמב״ם ושל הגמרא לאסטרולוגיה. איזה מהלך יותר עקבי עם הפסוקים בספר דברים?
What is the Rambam's position on astrology?
How is it different from the position of Rabbi Hanina above?
Does the position of the Rambam also differ from that of Rabbi Yochanan?
What might have influenced the Rambam's philosophical approach to astrology?
Consider the approaches to astrology in the Rambam and in the Gemara. Which is more consistent with the verses in Deuteronomy?
The study of astrology is not forbidden. Even though the Talmud (Shabbat 156a) states: “There is no mazal (celestial, source of influence) for Israel,” there were sages who did not share that view. Thus, even though the latter was a minority opinion, the fact that it exists demonstrates that astrology is not nonsense, nor is involvement in its study forbidden.
איך הרמב״ן מבין את האמירה בגמרא, ״אֵין מַזָּל לְיִשְׂרָאֵל״? האם הבנתם אותו באותה צורה?
האם הרמב״ם או הרמב״ן יותר עקבי עם מהלך היהודי ההיסטורי?
How does the Ramban understand the statement in the Gemara that "There is no mazal for Israel?" Did you understand it the same way?
Is the Ramban or the Rambam more consistent with the historical Jewish approach?
(א) שלא לכשף לעונן ולנחש. ובו י"ט סעיפים:
אין שואלין בחוזים בכוכבים ולא בגורלות: הגה משום שנאמר תמים תהיה עם ה' אלקיך (ב"י בשם תוספות דע"פ ובשם ספרי) וכ"ש דאסור לשאול בקוסמים ומנחשים ובמכשפים (פסקי מהרא"י סי' צ"ו):
(ב) נהגו שאין מתחילין בב' ובד' ואין נושאין נשים אלא במילוי הלבנה: הגה ולכן נהגו ג"כ להתחיל ללמוד בר"ח כי אע"פ שאין ניחוש יש סימן (סמ"ק סימן קל"ו) במה שאדם יודע שהוא כנגד המזל לא יעשה ולא יסמוך על הנס אלא שאין לחקור אחר זה משום תמים תהיה (תשובת רמב"ן סימן רפ"ו) כמו שנתבאר:
1. That one should not perform sorcery, soothsaying, or divination.
One should not consult with stargazers or those who cast lots. Rema: Because as it says you shall be simple with the Lord your God. And all the more so it is forbidden to consult with magicians, diviners, and sorcerers.
2. We have the custom not to begin something on Monday or Wednesday and women only marry when the moon is waxing (the first half of the month). Rema: And we also have the practice to begin studying on Rosh Chodesh, because even though it is not divination, there is a sign. What a person knows is against the stars he will not do, and we do not rely upon miracles. Rather, we don't deeply investigate this (astrology) because of "you shall be simple," as was explained.
מה המתח בין שתי ההלכות בשולחן ערוך?
איך הרמ״א והרמב״ם שונים בפירושם של הפסוק, ״תָּמִים תִּהְיֶה עִם ה' אֱלֹקֶיךָ״?
What tension is present in these two laws in the Shulchan Aruch?
How do the Remah and the Rambam differ in their interpretation and application of the verse, "Perfect shalt thou be with the Lord thy God"?
The Bialystoker Synagogue is one of the most exuberant examples of synagogue decoration in the metropolitan New York area. ... And ringing this riot of images is an elaborate and beautiful depiction of the twelve signs of the zodiac crowning the main sanctuary. ... It is fairly clear that the prominent presence of the zodiac in the decorations of the Bialystoker Synagogue is not an expression this congregation’s belief in astrology. Rather its place of honor reflects the importance given to the recurring seasons and holidays that link us to both our history and our daily observances.
Richard McBee
https://richardmcbee.com/writings/jewish-art-before-1945/item/the-bialystoker-synagogue-astrological-paintings
איך הציורים בבית הכנסת ביאוליסטוקר מראים את הכח המתמשך של גלגל המזלות בדמיון היהודי?
How does the Bialystocker Synagogue art demonstrate the enduring power of the zodiac in the Jewish imagination?
OU Staff
February 12, 2014
In Judaism, Astrology is not regarded as “idol worship,” even though the generic name for “idol worship” is “Avodat Kochavim U’Mazalot,” Worship of the Stars and the Signs of the Zodiac.”
From the Jewish perspective, the stars are not unrelated to events on earth. It is not irrelevant whether one was born on Pesach, or Yom Kippur, or Lag Ba’Omer or on any particular day. Each day is special and has a unique imprint.
On the other hand, if an individual was born under the “sign” of Mars, the Talmud says that he will have a tendency to spill blood. This tendency can be realized in a number of very different ways, however, which are subject to an individual’s choice. In this case, options might be a soldier, a surgeon, a murderer, a “shochet,” a ritual slaughterer of animals, or a “mohel,” one who performs ritual circumcisions. These options correspond to a potential hero, a healer, one who violates the “image of G-d,” to those who do “holy work” of different types.
האם המבט של המאמר המודרני הזה, שנכתב על ידי הOU מפתיע אתכם?
למה אתם חושבים שהמאמר לא בוחר במהלכו של הרמב״ם?
איך המאמר מפרש מחדש את המושגים הקדומים של אסטרולוגיה דטרמיניסטי בדרך שיותר קל לקהל המודרני לסבול?
Does the perspective of this modern article, written by the Orthodox Union, surprise you?
Why do you think it doesn't present the Maimonidean perspective on astrology?
How does it reinterpret ancient notions of deterministic astrology in a way that is more palatable to a modern audience?