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243 THE JEWISH ENCYCLOPEDIA

243

the art that studies the heavens " (Deut. R. viii. 6). similar remark is made by the Babylonian Jose of Huzal " "We are not permitted to appeal to the Chaldeans, for it is written (Deut. xviii. 13), Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God " (Pes. 113Z>). In accordance with Jer. x. 2 is another declaration by R. Johanan, the Palestinian amora, to the effect that " there are no planets for Israel, but only for the nations which recognize the validity of astrology." This opinion is shared by Rab (Abba -Arika, Shab. 156a). These utterances, however, do not go undisputed and it may be added that, more particularly during the fourth century, the belief in the influence of the constellations at conception and birth was general (ib.). Every person had a particular star as a

A



'

'



with which his fate was closely interwere already witnesses of the revelation on Sinai (Shab. 146a). Animals have no stars, and are therefore more liable guardian

spirit,

woven.

The

stars of the proselytes

On the other hand, every to injury (Shab. 53S). blade of grass has its own particular star which bids Causeless fear in man is a it grow (Gen. R. x. 6). sign that his star sees danger (Meg. 3a). The first day of illness is concealed from mankind in order that the influence of one's star may not be weakened and the setting of one's star betokens that one's death is near (Ber. 556). Raba (lived 350) says, " Duration of life, progeny, and subsistence are dependent upon the constellations " (M. K. 28a). God tells Eleazar ben Pedat, an indigent teacher of the Talmud, that He would have to overturn the world, were He to release him from poverty, he having been born in an unlucky hour (Ta'an. 25a). The most popular form of astrological superstition and one which still survives among uncultured

—

people

Selection of Days,

—

is

the selection of propitious

According to it, certain periods, years, months, days, and hours are regarded as lucky or unlucky. Akiba days.

contends against the superstition that the year beThe belief fore the jubilee is exceptionally blessed. is also condemned that no business should be begun on the new moon, on Friday, or on Sabbath evenSanh. ing (Sifre, Deut. 171 Sifra, Kedoshim, vi. Despite these authoritative doctrines, however, 65).



an announcement is found to the effect that it is dangerous to drink water on Wednesday and Friday evenings (Pes. 112a). Samuel, teacher of the Law, physician, and astrologer, taught that it was dangerous to bleed a patient on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday, because on the last-mentioned day Mars reigns at the even-numbered hours of the day, when demons have their play. It was considered equally dangerous to undergo this operation on a Wednesday falling on the fourth, the fourteenth, or the twentyfourth of the month, or on a Wednesday occurring within less than four days of the new moon. The new moon was likewise regarded as an unfavorable season for bleeding, as were also the third of the month and the day preceding a festival (Shab. 1296). In consequence of religious anti -Biblical influences, some of these pagan views gradually acquired a Hebraic tinge. Of two horoscopes which have been preserved, however, only the earlier bears a Jewish stamp. On Joshua b. Levi's "tablets" (third century) it is stated that men born on Sunday will be distin-

guished, on

and

sensual,

Astrology

Monday wrathful, on Tuesday wealthy on Wednesday intelligent and enlight-

on Thursday benevolent, and on Friday pious while those born on Saturday are destined to die on scopes. that day. Only four of these predictions are based upon the days of Creation; from which it would appear that the conclusions here are not those of Joshua b. Levi, but originated rather with Amoraim, who add other remarks. Rabbi Hanina said to his pupils " Go to the son of Levi, and tell him that the fate of a person is not decided by the constellations of the day, but by those of the hour " in other words, it is not the birthday, but the natal hour, that decides. Those born while the sun rules in the heavens have a brilliant career before them, and they will eat and drink of their own substance but their secrets will be divulged, and they will never prosper by theft. Those born under the. dominion of Venus are destined to wealth and sensual enjoyment, because fire is suspended on this star; while birth under the planet Mercury foretokens intelligence and enlightenment, Mercury being the scribe of the sun. The hapless born under the reign of the moon, however, will suffer much sorrow they will build and demolish, demolish and build, and they will eat and drink not of their own substance but their secrets will be safe, and should they steal, they will escape detection. The plans of those born under the reign of Saturn will be destroyed; while the righteous or the charitable ("zaddikim") are born under the reign of Jupiter (" Zedek "), and the shedder of blood under Mars but this prognosticon, says Ashi, may also refer to surgeons and butchers (Shab. 156a). When the vernal equinox occurs during the hour of Jupiter, the power of the fruit-trees is broken and when the winter solstice falls within this hour, the seeds of the field dry up. In this case, however, it is necessary also that the new moon should appear during the moon or Jupiter hour ('Er. 56a). An eclipse of the sun is an evil omen for the nations, while an eclipse of the moon is a particular fatality for Israel, Jewish reckoning of time being based ened,

Two Horo-





—







Suk. of this planet (Mek., Bo, i. G. Brecher, " Das Transcendentale, Magie und Magische Heilarten im Talmud," p. 157, Vienna,

upon the phases 29a





1850).

Bibliography: G. Brecher, as above L. L6w, Die Astrologie bei den Juden, in Ben Chananja, 1863, vi. 401-408, 431h135 idem, Gesammelte Schriften, ed. T. Low, ii. 115-131, Szeg;



edin, 1890. j.

L. B.

sb.

In Medieval Times



Astrology, called

"

hok-

(wisdom of prognostication), in distinction from "hokmat ha-hizzayon " (wisdom of star-seeing, or astronomy), was practised by Jews throughout the Middle Ages, both as a professional Coming from the East, they art and as a science. were looked upon as heirs and successors of the Chaldeans, and, probably for this reason, were regarded by the Occidental world as skilful masters of the art of Astrology; their supposed power over destiny filling the multitudes with awe and fear (Bedarride, "Les Juifs en France," pp. 49, 454, note

mat ha-nissayon

"

21; Basnage, "Histoire des Juifs," iv. Cassel, "Juden," in Ersch and Gruber's

1212; P.

"Encyc."