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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. 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