[Avodah] Astrology

[Daniel Eidensohn]

The comment below is an inaccurate description of the Jewish view of 
astrology. Astrology was and is valued as an accurate source of knowledge - 
even though prohibited in some circumstances. The matter has been much 
discussed in this forum and I assume the postings are still available in 
the archives. I also have a large collection of citations about mazel 
and astrology in my sefer Daas Torah pages 584-595 in the chapter on Mazel.

Daniel Eidensohn

Yisrael Medad wrote:
>
>
>       Anyone want to comment?
>
>
>
>       Apparently it's emetic
>
> A.C. Grayling's analogy of astrology with theology is in principle a 
> forceful one (/LRB/, 2 November <http://v28/n21/letters.html> ). He 
> uses it to suggest that religion, like astrology, consists of 
> 'pre-scientific, rudimentary metaphysics' which reflect 'ancient 
> ignorances'. But in some ways it is also unjust. In ancient Israel 
> astrology was an offence, and was rejected as a source of knowledge, 
> as were all other kinds of divination, magic generally, and 
> consultation of the dead. Ancient Israelites believed (according to 
> Genesis) that the sun, moon and stars were merely 'lights'. Israel's 
> pre-scientific perceptions deserve some credit for their long-range 
> anticipation of what Grayling has lately concluded 'on the basis of 
> rational investigation'.
>
> *Jim Stewart*
> University of Dundee
> http://www.lrb.co.uk/v28/n23/letters.html
>
>
> -- 
> Yisrael Medad
> Shiloh
> Mobile Post Efraim 44830
> Israel
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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