Jewish/Christian/Muslim view of Astrology

February 7, 2009

Dear All, The following write-up is from: http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Jewish_views_of_astrology_-_In_the_Bible/id/1531099 Love and regards,Sreenadh==================================Jewish views of astrology: Encyclopedia II - Jewish views of astrology - In the BibleJewish views of astrology - In the Bible

Astrology is not specifically mentioned in the Torah, the five books

of Moses. There are two commandments which have been used by some

authorities as a basis to forbid the practice.

"You shall not practice divination or soothsaying." (Leviticus 19:26,

New JPS)

"When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you

shall not learn to imitate the abhorrent practices of the nations. Let

no one be found among you who...is an auger, a soothsayer, a diviner, a

sorceror, one casts spells.....For anyone who does these things is

abhorrent to the LORD..." (Deuteronomy 18:9-12, New JPS)

These commandments are understood by some rabbinic authorities as

forbidding astrology, while others limit these mitzvot to other forms

of soothsaying, and thus view astrology as permissible.

In the Hebrew Bible the prophets scoffed at "star-gazers" (hoverei ha-shamayim) in Book of Isaiah 47:13; Book of Jeremiah 10:2.) Astrologers from Babylon were called Kasdim/Kasdin (Chaldeans) in the Book of Daniel. In rabbinic literature, the term Chaldeans later was often used as a synonym with those who practiced astrology.

Some historians hold that astrology slowly made its way into the

Jewish community through syncretism with ancient Hellenistic culture.

The Sibylline oracles praise the Jewish nation because it "does not

meditate on the prophecies of the fortune-tellers, magicians, and

conjurers, nor practice Astrology, nor seek the oracles of the

Chaldeans in the stars" (iii. 227); although the author of the Encyclopedia Judaica article on astrology holds that this view is mistaken.

The early historian Josephus censures the people for ignoring what

he thought were signs foreshadowing the destruction of the Temple in

Jerusalem ("B. J." vi. 5, § 3). There were apparently no Jewish

astrologers either in the land of Israel or in the Jewish community of

Babylonia.==================================