Fifth Reading: Belief in Astrology
“He [God] took him [Abraham] outside and said, ‘Look towards the heaven and count the stars...’”
QUESTION:
I have read that in ancient times, Jewish sages knew astrology and understood through Kabbalah the reasons for how and why certain stars and constellations have various effects. How can I find more about this? I heard that the “Book of Formation” contains this information. What is this book and is it a recognized work?
I understand that Jewish astrology is a complex discipline that can take years to master. I have a great love for this type of study. Please let me know if you feel I am doing something wrong, or if you can help me with this.
ANSWER:
It is important to understand that the movements of the stars and constellations have no power over the Jewish people. Indeed, the Ba’al Shem Tov read the saying of the sages, “Israel have no mazal [constellation or fortune]” as “the [Divine] nothingness is the fortune of Israel.” Additionally, you should not use the term “astrology,” as this gives sustenance to the forces of illusion and darkness. God specifically commanded Abraham to “abandon your astrology.”
Instead, use the term, “the wisdom of Sefer Yetzirah” which contains this type of information. Sefer Yetzirah (“Book of Formation”) is the oldest Kabbalistic work, attributed to Abraham and edited by Rabbi Akiva, the 1st century sage. It is considered a foundation of Kabbalah, as well as of the grammar of the holy language, Hebrew.
The wisdom of the stars and planets is true only if studied according to the authentic meanings of the stars. These meanings are dependent on the 12 permutations of the unique, four-letter Name of God, the Tetragrammaton.
It is also essential to understand the secret of the correspondences between the months and the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and how they relate to the above. Further, there is a particular mazal (“fortune” or “sign”) for each day and for each hour. More importantly, there is a Torah attached to each day (such as a holy day or the day of the passing of a holy person, etc.)
So, yes, it is possible to study this material, however it is most complex. If you should undertake this study, begin with the most relavant information concerning the correspondences of the months to the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and the special sense of each month as explained by the Ari. We encourage you to try developing in your soul the sense of each month. For more information see our website, which has a lot of material on the sense of each month.
One important word of caution: The wisdom of Kabbalah should be studied only in Hebrew. A person who does not study Kabbalah in Hebrew cannot understand the depths of this wisdom. Our website attempts to explain the main points of this wisdom in English, but in no way covers the vast sea of knowledge of Kabbalah.
