Shabbat Gathering: Astrology?

Gud Shabbos Khaveyrim, as is our custom, we will gather tonight at 5.45p ct to welcome Shabbat. These are the coordinates:

Zoom
Meeting ID: 883 8469 4181
Password: 822665
Phone: +1 312 626 6799

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Here we go.

Given the number of different cultures Jews have been immersed, it shouldn’t be a surprise that something of those cultures rubs off on us every so often and that even goes for astrology. It’s complicated.

On the one hand, Torah makes it pretty clear that being a Jew and believing in magic, soothsaying, and fortune telling are incompatible. However, some of the most prominent rabbis of the middle ages regarded it as science, not magic.

Back in the middle ages, the stars were believed to be connected to events on earth. Therefore, … science! For example, let’s say someone is born under the sign of Mars and therefore have a tendency to spill blood. What’s unknown is whether he will do so as a shochet, mohel, murderer, doctor, or warrior and that therefore accounts for free will.

I’m not sure I know anyone who believes in astrology and it’s been ages and ages since I’ve heard someone sincerely ask, “What’s your sign?” But Jews have tons and tons of folk magic and myth in our bones. I myself wear a red thread bracelet to protect me from evil spirits, so it’s inappropriate for me to scoff at someone else’s folk belief.

And may it be for all of us a blessing.

See you tonight!
Mit vareme grusn,
(With warm regards,)

All my love,
brian.