Newspaper Page Text
Star wars
Astrology may be questionable, but it
was once an integral part of Judaism
by Daniel C. Russ
One of the most disputed areas
of interest in the study of Jewish
mysticism is that of astrology.
Today one can hardly pick up a
newspaper or magazine without
finding his or her next month’s
horoscopes inside Websters
defines astrology as a "pseudo
science claiming to foretell the
future by studying the supposed
influence of the moon, sun and
stars on human affairs.” Perhaps
the first record we have of its use as
a science is with the Greek
philosopher Ptolemy. But by the
mid-fifteenth century, Jews
recognized astrology as both a
divine and worthwhile endeavor.
Eleazar of Worms, during the
seventeenth century, explained
how astrology works by appealing
to the stellar influence on earth,
air, fire and water. However, the
primary interest in astrology to
medieval Jews was how they could
put it to use in improving their lives
from day to day. Charts were
calculated to determine when it
would be auspicious to begin an
enterprise, whether or not to have
a child, how to adjudicate court
cases, or to answer specific queries.
Scholars were caught in a
double bind. Was astrology
permitted? Or was it forbidden for
one to divine his own future? And
if it was permitted, then how did it
fit into the framework of classical
Jewish law in the Torah?
Maimonides, the great Jewish
scholastic philosopher, opposed
astrology as a heathen
superstition. Moses of Tachau
expounded in his work Ozar
Nehmad, “those men, to whom the
spirit of Torah is foreign, who busy
themselves with astrology and
believe in it thereby bring harm
to others." Another great sage,
Menasseh b Israel, objected and
cited the Torah itself as the proof
that astrology was not only true,
but permitted. He wrote, “In all
periods, there have been great
astrologers among our people.”
So how did the codifiers of
Jewish law decide between the
future «s G-d’s will and the future
as predicted by the motion of
heavenly bodies? The answer was a
simple synthesis of both, reflecting
the genius of medieval Jewish
theologians. The stars were the
creations of G-d and, therefore,
instruments of His will. They were
placed in the heavens so that we
can see our fates and take action to
change them if they are
unfavorable. Repentance, the
performance of Mitzvot, and
prayer could alter G-d’s decree and
change one’s future as written in
the «Urs. With this logic, many
scholars reasoned that astrology
was excluded from among the
forbidden forms of magic.
Contemporary scholars shy
away from astrology, and if asked
whether or not it is permitted, they
would probably be constrained to
say that it is not. Astrology, like
ESP, magic, and other fringe
topics have been lumped together
in the same pile and unfortunately
dismissed. But there has been a
tremendous amount of research on
psychic abilities, done under
laboratory conditions, in the past
50 years. For the first time,
reputable research scientists, many
Nobel prize laureates or nominees,
are willing to say that there is some
credibility to ESP, telekinesis
(mind over matter), and related
fields.
There is an interface growing
between science and mysticism,
and the implications for Judaism
from this research are tremendous
ly important. More than once,
archeology or some other scientific
field has confirmed what Jewish
liturgy has always asserted as true.
It would not surprise me if we
might one day be able to move the
practices of our forefathers out of
the realm of “superstition” and
into the realm of reality. However,
we want to categorize astrology, it
was once an integral part of our
Jewish past.
Eban to write Cairo column?
JERUSALEM (Z1NS)—The editor of the Cairo newspaper Al
Ahram has invited former Israeli Foreign Minister, Abba Eban, to
write a regular political column. Eban, who speaks and writes
fluent Arabic, has been mentioned as a possible choice to be Israel’s
first Ambassador to Cairo. Meanwhile, the Israeli radio said that
President Sadat had invited Deputy Prime Minister Yigael
Yadin, one of Israel's leading archaeologists, to visit
archaeological sites in Cairo.
You'll flip at the
fantastic savings at
THE SAMPLER
4
•Sampler
325-4147
Toivitui 0ne
Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge
Excellent Cantonese Cuisine
Open 7 days
For Lunch and Dinner
Lunch Special $2.95 Mon. Fri.
Cocktail Hours: 4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Free Hors d’oeuvres
Dimsum Luncheon: Sat., Sun., & Mon.
Banquet Facilities
1431 U.S. Highway #41
(across from Dobbins Air Base)
2105 N. Decatur Road
At Clairmont
Reservations
Telephone: 404/428-1528
Major credit cards accepted
PERMANENT MARKERS IN ISRAEL
For
AFFORESTATION AND LAND
RECLAMATION PROJECTS
nn*p pi!
fJI
KEREN KAVEMETM LEISRAEl
For More Information
Call or Write
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND
SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL OFFICE
THREE PIEDMONT CENTER
ATLANTA. GEORGIA 30305
PHONE 404-237-1132 or 404-266 9775
A NEW KIND OF 1
2153 BRIARCLIFF RD. N.E.
at LaVista Road
Briar Vista Shopping Center
OPEN TIL MIDNIGHT
DISCOUNT
DRUG
STORE
AND
A
NEIGHBORHOOD
FOOD
STORE
Complete with Convenience,
Gourmet and Specialty Foods!
Finest Quality brands
KOSHER & KOSHER STYLE FOODS
also
ITALIAN • MEXICAN • CHINESE
FRENCH • SPANISH
Foods - Snacks - Beverages
KENNETT UTE ICE CREAM
Vi Ballon
Cmm* 6—0 Thm 5/3/7> at Briar Vista 0»>T _
FLAV-O-RICH LOW FAT MILK
1-6allon
__C—pM 6M4_TImi_5/3/7^VjstsJWy
PERSONAL TOUCH RAZOR
*1.00 Manufacturer’s Rabat a
Can—* Good Tbr* 5/3/7B at Iriar Vlfta Only
88 c
WITH coupon
$-|49
WITH coupon
$499
WITH COUPOH
W c
BETTY CROCKER
SUPREME WHITE ICING
CMPM OM-nua 5^3/7. a^^OjHj _
REDEEM THIS MEDI-BUCK COUPON
IT S WORTH S 1 OFF
THE COST OF YOUR NEXT NEW OR
TRANSFERRED PRESCRIPTION
PRICED 2 OR MORE
MEDI-BlJeKCOUPON^
w Kj
INFLATION MGHUR &*£&&&&£&
MEM-BUCK Coupon Good Thru 5/3/71 at Briar Vista Only
BRIAR VISTA SHOPPING CENTER
321-6728
STORE HOURS
r"'- il "T ■ DAILY 9 AM TO MIDNIGHT
PC 1'J ij l UlTitfP SUNDAY: 11 AM TO 8 PM
I
ft-
Page 11 THE SOL THERM ISRAELITE April 27,