INITIAL OBSERVATIONS
- In this Talmudic segment (sugya) it seems that astological thinking seems to be assumed by the Sages as legitimate wisdom. At the same time, there is no single perspective which is considered as the ideal interpretation. For example, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi is of the opinion that the weekday on which one is born determines their destiny. Rabbi Chanina argues that it is not the day of the week but the hour of the day. And to complicate matters, some Talmudic Sages claim that the Jewish People are not bound the rules of astrology (although they would agree that these rules apply to non-Jews).
- It appears that the editor(s) of the Talmud are sometimes troubled by the sweeping claims that appear in the astological tradition as they note empirical challenges to possible interpretations. For example, the editor(s) use their observations (and the self-reported statements) of Talmudic Sages regarding their lives as a way to refute proposed interpretations of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi's teaching concerning the destiny of those born on Sunday.
- It appears that the Talmudic Sages believe that (astrologically determined) fate can be tempted, typically through acts of piety, but results may vary.
- Another way to view the Talmudic treatment of this topic is that the Sages who insist that astrological forces have no bearing on the Jewish People is not only a matter of cause and effect i.e. the Jewish People perform good deeds and those actions annul or redirect the impact of astrology. Rather, it is possible that the Sages who maintain this view simply reject astrology but limit their radical departure from the norm of their era by framing the lack of astrological efficacy as a matter that occurs only in Jewish settings. Perhaps they conceive the Jewish community to be living in a post-astrological world.
- If it is the case that the Sages who insist that there is no astrological impact on the Jewish People proclaim this view on account of their denial of astrological efficacy, perhaps this can explain how other Sages seem to uphold astrology. These supporters of astrology may be aligned with the state of Judaism from the era of the Hebrew Prophets and therefore maintain that these spiritual forces are still at play.
כְּתִיב אַפִּינְקָסֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: הַאי מַאן דִּבְחַד בְּשַׁבָּא, יְהֵי גְּבַר וְלָא חֲדָא בֵּיהּ. מַאי [״וְלָא חֲדָא בֵּיהּ״]? אִילֵּימָא: וְלָא חַד לְטֵיבוּ, וְהָאָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: אֲנָא בְּחַד בְּשַׁבָּא הֲוַאי! אֶלָּא לָאו חֲדָא לְבִישׁוּ, וְהָאָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: אֲנָא וְדִימִי בַּר קָקוֹזְתָּא הֲוֵינַן בְּחַד בְּשַׁבָּא, אֲנָא מֶלֶךְ, וְהוּא הֲוָה רֵישׁ גַּנָּבֵי! אֶלָּא: אִי כּוּלֵּיהּ לְטֵיבוּ, אִי כּוּלֵּיהּ לְבִישׁוּ. מַאי טַעְמָא? דְּאִיבְּרוֹ בֵּיהּ אוֹר וָחוֹשֶׁךְ. הַאי מַאן דְּבִתְרֵי בְּשַׁבָּא יְהֵי גְּבַר רַגְזָן. מַאי טַעְמָא? מִשּׁוּם דְּאִיפְּלִיגוּ בֵּיהּ מַיָּא. הַאי מַאן דְּבִתְלָתָא בְּשַׁבָּא — יְהֵי גְּבַר עַתִּיר וְזַנַּאי יְהֵא. מַאי טַעְמָא? מִשּׁוּם דְּאִיבְּרוֹ בֵּיהּ עֲשָׂבִים. הַאי מַאן דִּבְאַרְבְּעָה בְּשַׁבָּא — יְהֵי גְּבַר חַכִּים וְנָהִיר. מַאי טַעְמָא? מִשּׁוּם דְּאִיתְּלוֹ בֵּיהּ מְאוֹרוֹת. הַאי מַאן דִּבְחַמְשָׁה בְּשַׁבָּא — יְהֵי גְּבַר גּוֹמֵל חֲסָדִים. מַאי טַעְמָא? מִשּׁוּם דְּאִיבְּרוֹ בֵּיהּ דָּגִים וְעוֹפוֹת. הַאי מַאן דִּבְמַעֲלֵי שַׁבְּתָא — יְהֵי גְּבַר חַזְרָן. אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: חַזְרָן בְּמִצְוֹת. הַאי מַאן דִּבְשַׁבְּתָא יְהֵי — בְּשַׁבְּתָא יְמוּת, עַל דְּאַחִילוּ עֲלוֹהִי יוֹמָא רַבָּא דְּשַׁבְּתָא. אָמַר רָבָא בַּר רַב שֵׁילָא: וְקַדִּישָׁא רַבָּא יִתְקְרֵי. אֲמַר לְהוּ רַבִּי חֲנִינָא, פּוּקוּ אֱמַרוּ לֵיהּ לְבַר לֵיוַאי: לֹא מַזַּל יוֹם גּוֹרֵם אֶלָּא מַזַּל שָׁעָה גּוֹרֵם. הַאי מַאן דִּבְחַמָּה — יְהֵי גְּבַר זִיוְתָן, יְהֵי אָכֵיל מִדִּילֵיהּ וְשָׁתֵי מִדִּילֵיהּ, וְרָזוֹהִי גַּלְיִין, אִם גָּנֵיב — לָא מַצְלַח. הַאי מַאן דִּבְכוֹכָב נוֹגַהּ — יְהֵי גְּבַר עַתִּיר וְזַנַּאי יְהֵי. מַאי טַעְמָא? מִשּׁוּם דְּאִיתְיְלִיד בֵּיהּ נוּרָא. הַאי מַאן דִּבְכוֹכָב — יְהֵי גְּבַר נָהִיר וְחַכִּים, מִשּׁוּם דְּסָפְרָא דְחַמָּה הוּא. הַאי מַאן דְּבִלְבָנָה — יְהֵי גְּבַר סָבֵיל מַרְעִין, בָּנֵי וְסָתַר, סָתַר וּבָנֵי, אָכֵיל דְּלָא דִּילֵיהּ וְשָׁתֵי דְּלָא דִּילֵיהּ וְרָזוֹהִי כַּסְיִין אִם גָּנֵב — מַצְלַח. הַאי מַאן דִּבְשַׁבְּתַאי — יְהֵי גְּבַר מַחְשְׁבָתֵיהּ בָּטְלִין. וְאִית דְּאָמְרִי: כׇּל דִּמְחַשְּׁבִין עֲלֵיהּ בָּטְלִין. הַאי מַאן דִּבְצֶדֶק — יְהֵי גְּבַר צִדְקָן. אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק: וְצַדְקָן בְּמִצְוֹת. הַאי מַאן דִּבְמַאְדִּים — יְהֵי גְּבַר אָשֵׁיד דְּמָא. אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: אִי אוּמָּנָא, אִי גַּנָּבָא, אִי טַבָּחָא, אִי מָהוֹלָא. אָמַר רַבָּה: אֲנָא בְּמַאְדִּים הֲוַאי. אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מָר נָמֵי עָנֵישׁ וְקָטֵיל. אִיתְּמַר, רַבִּי חֲנִינָא אוֹמֵר: מַזָּל מַחְכִּים, מַזָּל מַעֲשִׁיר, וְיֵשׁ מַזָּל לְיִשְׂרָאֵל. רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר: אֵין מַזָּל לְיִשְׂרָאֵל. וְאַזְדָּא רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן לְטַעְמֵיהּ, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִנַּיִין שֶׁאֵין מַזָּל לְיִשְׂרָאֵל? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״כֹּה אָמַר ה׳ אֶל דֶּרֶךְ הַגּוֹיִם אַל תִּלְמָדוּ וּמֵאוֹתוֹת הַשָּׁמַיִם אַל תֵּחָתּוּ כִּי יֵחַתּוּ הַגּוֹיִם מֵהֵמָּה״ — הֵם יֵחַתּוּ, וְלֹא יִשְׂרָאֵל. וְאַף רַב סָבַר אֵין מַזָּל לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, דְּאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: מִנַּיִין שֶׁאֵין מַזָּל לְיִשְׂרָאֵל? — שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיּוֹצֵא אוֹתוֹ הַחוּצָה״, אָמַר אַבְרָהָם לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, ״בֶן בֵּיתִי יוֹרֵשׁ אוֹתִי״, אָמַר לוֹ: לָאו — ״כִּי אִם אֲשֶׁר יֵצֵא מִמֵּעֶיךָ״. אָמַר לְפָנָיו: רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם נִסְתַּכַּלְתִּי בְּאִיצְטַגְנִינוּת שֶׁלִּי, וְאֵינִי רָאוּי לְהוֹלִיד בֵּן. אָמַר לוֹ: צֵא מֵאִיצְטַגְנִינוּת שֶׁלְּךָ, שֶׁאֵין מַזָּל לְיִשְׂרָאֵל. מַאי דַּעְתָּיךְ?
After citing relevant halakhot written in the notebooks of various Sages, the Gemara relates that it was written in Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi’s notebook: One who was born on the first day of the week, Sunday, will be a person and there will not be one in him. The Gemara asks: What is the meaning of the phrase: There will not be one in him? If you say that there is not one quality for the best, that cannot be, as Rav Ashi said: I was born on the first day of the week, and one cannot say that there was nothing good about him. Rather, it must mean that there is not one quality for the worst. Didn’t Rav Ashi say: I and Dimi bar Kakuzta were both born on the first day of the week. I became a king, the head of a yeshiva, and he became the head of a gang of thieves, clearly a negative quality. Rather, one born on a Sunday is either completely for the best or completely for the worst. What is the reason for this? It is because both light and darkness were created on the first day of Creation. One who was born on the second day of the week, Monday, will be a short-tempered person. What is the reason for this? It is because on that day, the second day of Creation, the upper and lower waters were divided. Therefore, it is a day of contentiousness.
One who was born on the third day of the week will be a rich man and a promiscuous person. What is the reason for this? It is because on that day, the third day, vegetation was created. It grows abundantly but is also mixed together without boundaries between the grass and the plants.
One who was born on the fourth day of the week will be a wise and enlightened person. What is the reason for this? It is because the heavenly lights were hung in the heavens on that day, and wisdom is likened to light. One who was born on the fifth day of the week will be a person who performs acts of kindness. What is the reason for this? It is because on that day the fish and fowl were created, and they do not receive their sustenance by performing work for people. They are sustained by the kindness of God alone.
One who was born on the sixth day of the week will be a seeker. Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said that this means that he will be one who seeks out mitzvot, as most of the activity on Friday involves preparation for Shabbat.
One who was born on Shabbat will die on Shabbat, because they desecrated the great day of Shabbat on his behalf. Rava bar Rav Sheila said: And he will be called a person of great sanctity because he was born on the sacred day of Shabbat. Rabbi Ḥanina said to his students who heard all this: Go and tell the son of Leiva’i, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi: It is not the constellation of the day of the week that determines a person’s nature; rather, it is the constellation of the hour that determines his nature.
One who was born under the influence of the sun will be a radiant person; he will eat from his own resources and drink from his own resources, and his secrets will be exposed. If he steals he will not succeed, because he will be like the sun that shines and is revealed to all.
One who was born under the influence of Venus will be a rich and promiscuous person. What is the reason for this? Because fire was born during the hour of Venus, he will be subject the fire of the evil inclination, which burns perpetually.
One who was born under the influence of Mercury will be an enlightened and expert man, because Mercury is the sun’s scribe, as it is closest to the sun.
One who was born under the influence of the moon will be a man who suffers pains, who builds and destroys, and destroys and builds. He will be a man who eats not from his own resources and drinks not from his own resources, and whose secrets are hidden. If he steals he will succeed, as he is like the moon that constantly changes form, whose light is not its own, and who is at times exposed and at times hidden.
One who was born under the influence of Saturn will be a man whose thoughts are for naught. And some say that everything that others think about him and plan to do to him is for naught.
One who was born under the influence of Jupiter [tzedek] will be a just person [tzadkan]. Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: And just in this context means just in the performance of mitzvot.
One who was born under the influence of Mars will be one who spills blood. Rav Ashi said: He will be either a blood letter, or a thief, or a slaughterer of animals, or a circumciser. Rabba said: I was born under the influence of Mars and I do not perform any of those activities. Abaye said: My Master also punishes and kills as a judge. It was stated that Rabbi Ḥanina says: A constellation makes one wise and a constellation makes one wealthy, and there is a constellation for the Jewish people that influences them. Rabbi Yoḥanan said: There is no constellation for the Jewish people that influences them. The Jewish people are not subject to the influence of astrology. And Rabbi Yoḥanan follows his own reasoning, as Rabbi Yoḥanan said: From where is it derived that there is no constellation for the Jewish people? As it is stated: “Thus said the Lord: Learn not the way of the nations, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the nations are dismayed at them” (Jeremiah 10:2). The nations will be dismayed by them, but not the Jewish people. And Rav also holds that there is no constellation for the Jewish people, as Rav Yehuda said that Rav said: From where is it derived that there is no constellation for the Jewish people? As it is stated with regard to Abraham: “And He brought him outside, and said: Look now toward heaven, and count the stars, if you are able to count them; and He said unto him: So shall your offspring be” (Genesis 15:5). The Sages derived from this that Abraham said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, and one born in my house is to be my heir” (Genesis 15:3). The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to him: No. “And, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying: This man shall not be your heir; rather, one that will come forth from your own innards shall be your heir” (Genesis 15:4). Abraham said before Him: Master of the Universe, I looked at my astrological map, and according to the configuration of my constellations I am not fit to have a son. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to him: Emerge from your astrology, as the verse states: “And He brought him outside,” as there is no constellation for Israel. What is your thinking?
One who was born on the third day of the week will be a rich man and a promiscuous person. What is the reason for this? It is because on that day, the third day, vegetation was created. It grows abundantly but is also mixed together without boundaries between the grass and the plants.
One who was born on the fourth day of the week will be a wise and enlightened person. What is the reason for this? It is because the heavenly lights were hung in the heavens on that day, and wisdom is likened to light. One who was born on the fifth day of the week will be a person who performs acts of kindness. What is the reason for this? It is because on that day the fish and fowl were created, and they do not receive their sustenance by performing work for people. They are sustained by the kindness of God alone.
One who was born on the sixth day of the week will be a seeker. Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said that this means that he will be one who seeks out mitzvot, as most of the activity on Friday involves preparation for Shabbat.
One who was born on Shabbat will die on Shabbat, because they desecrated the great day of Shabbat on his behalf. Rava bar Rav Sheila said: And he will be called a person of great sanctity because he was born on the sacred day of Shabbat. Rabbi Ḥanina said to his students who heard all this: Go and tell the son of Leiva’i, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi: It is not the constellation of the day of the week that determines a person’s nature; rather, it is the constellation of the hour that determines his nature.
One who was born under the influence of the sun will be a radiant person; he will eat from his own resources and drink from his own resources, and his secrets will be exposed. If he steals he will not succeed, because he will be like the sun that shines and is revealed to all.
One who was born under the influence of Venus will be a rich and promiscuous person. What is the reason for this? Because fire was born during the hour of Venus, he will be subject the fire of the evil inclination, which burns perpetually.
One who was born under the influence of Mercury will be an enlightened and expert man, because Mercury is the sun’s scribe, as it is closest to the sun.
One who was born under the influence of the moon will be a man who suffers pains, who builds and destroys, and destroys and builds. He will be a man who eats not from his own resources and drinks not from his own resources, and whose secrets are hidden. If he steals he will succeed, as he is like the moon that constantly changes form, whose light is not its own, and who is at times exposed and at times hidden.
One who was born under the influence of Saturn will be a man whose thoughts are for naught. And some say that everything that others think about him and plan to do to him is for naught.
One who was born under the influence of Jupiter [tzedek] will be a just person [tzadkan]. Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: And just in this context means just in the performance of mitzvot.
One who was born under the influence of Mars will be one who spills blood. Rav Ashi said: He will be either a blood letter, or a thief, or a slaughterer of animals, or a circumciser. Rabba said: I was born under the influence of Mars and I do not perform any of those activities. Abaye said: My Master also punishes and kills as a judge. It was stated that Rabbi Ḥanina says: A constellation makes one wise and a constellation makes one wealthy, and there is a constellation for the Jewish people that influences them. Rabbi Yoḥanan said: There is no constellation for the Jewish people that influences them. The Jewish people are not subject to the influence of astrology. And Rabbi Yoḥanan follows his own reasoning, as Rabbi Yoḥanan said: From where is it derived that there is no constellation for the Jewish people? As it is stated: “Thus said the Lord: Learn not the way of the nations, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the nations are dismayed at them” (Jeremiah 10:2). The nations will be dismayed by them, but not the Jewish people. And Rav also holds that there is no constellation for the Jewish people, as Rav Yehuda said that Rav said: From where is it derived that there is no constellation for the Jewish people? As it is stated with regard to Abraham: “And He brought him outside, and said: Look now toward heaven, and count the stars, if you are able to count them; and He said unto him: So shall your offspring be” (Genesis 15:5). The Sages derived from this that Abraham said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: Master of the Universe, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, and one born in my house is to be my heir” (Genesis 15:3). The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to him: No. “And, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying: This man shall not be your heir; rather, one that will come forth from your own innards shall be your heir” (Genesis 15:4). Abraham said before Him: Master of the Universe, I looked at my astrological map, and according to the configuration of my constellations I am not fit to have a son. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to him: Emerge from your astrology, as the verse states: “And He brought him outside,” as there is no constellation for Israel. What is your thinking?
דְּקָאֵי צֶדֶק בְּמַעֲרָב — מְהַדַּרְנָא וּמוֹקֵימְנָא לֵיהּ בְּמִזְרָח. וְהַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב: ״מִי הֵעִיר מִמִּזְרָח צֶדֶק יִקְרָאֵהוּ לְרַגְלוֹ״. וּמִדִּשְׁמוּאֵל נָמֵי אֵין מַזָּל לְיִשְׂרָאֵל. דִּשְׁמוּאֵל וְאַבְלֵט הֲווֹ יָתְבִי, וַהֲווֹ קָאָזְלִי הָנָךְ אִינָשֵׁי לְאַגְמָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבְלֵט לִשְׁמוּאֵל: הַאי גַּבְרָא אָזֵיל וְלָא אָתֵי, טָרֵיק לֵיהּ חִיוְיָא וּמָיֵית. אֲמַר לֵיהּ שְׁמוּאֵל: אִי בַּר יִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא, אָזֵיל וְאָתֵי. אַדְּיָתְבִי אֲזַל וַאֲתָא. קָם אַבְלֵט שַׁדְיֵהּ לְטוּנֵיהּ, אַשְׁכַּח בֵּיהּ חִיוְיָא דִּפְסִיק וּשְׁדֵי בְּתַרְתֵּי גוּבֵּי. אֲמַר לֵיהּ שְׁמוּאֵל: מַאי עֲבַדְתְּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: כׇּל יוֹמָא הֲוָה מַרְמִינַן רִיפְתָּא בַּהֲדֵי הֲדָדֵי וְאָכְלִינַן. הָאִידָּנָא הֲוָה אִיכָּא חַד מִינַּן דְּלָא הֲוָה לֵיהּ רִיפְתָּא, הֲוָה קָא מִיכְּסַף. אָמֵינָא לְהוּ: אֲנָא קָאֵימְנָא וּמַרְמֵינָא. כִּי מְטַאי לְגַבֵּיהּ, שַׁוַּאי נַפְשַׁאי כְּמַאן דִּשְׁקִילִי מִינֵּיהּ, כִּי הֵיכִי דְּלָא לִיכְּסִיף. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מִצְוָה עֲבַדְתְּ. נְפַק שְׁמוּאֵל וּדְרַשׁ: ״וּצְדָקָה תַּצִּיל מִמָּוֶת״, וְלֹא מִמִּיתָה מְשׁוּנָּה, אֶלָּא מִמִּיתָה עַצְמָהּ. וּמִדְּרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא נָמֵי אֵין מַזָּל לְיִשְׂרָאֵל. דְּרַבִּי עֲקִיבָא הַוְיָא לֵיהּ בְּרַתָּא, אָמְרִי לֵיהּ כַּלְדָּאֵי: הָהוּא יוֹמָא דְּעָיְילָה לְבֵי גְנָנָא, טָרֵיק לַהּ חִיוְיָא, וּמִיתָא. הֲוָה דָּאֵיג אַמִּילְּתָא טוּבָא. הָהוּא יוֹמָא שְׁקַלְתַּהּ לְמַכְבַּנְתָּא, דַּצְתַּהּ בְּגוּדָא, אִיתְרְמִי אִיתִּיב בְּעֵינֵיהּ דְּחִיוְיָא. לְצַפְרָא כִּי קָא שָׁקְלָה לַהּ, הֲוָה קָא סָרֵיךְ וְאָתֵי חִיוְיָא בָּתְרַהּ. אֲמַר לַהּ אֲבוּהּ: מַאי עֲבַדְתְּ? אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ בְּפַנְיָא אֲתָא עַנְיָא, קְרָא אַבָּבָא וַהֲווֹ טְרִידִי כּוּלֵּי עָלְמָא בִּסְעוּדְתָּא, וְלֵיכָּא דְּשָׁמְעֵיהּ. קָאֵימְנָא, שְׁקַלְתֵּיהּ לְרִיסְתָּנַאי דִּיהַבְתְּ לִי, יַהְבִתֵּיהּ נִיהֲלֵיהּ. אֲמַר לַהּ: מִצְוָה עֲבַדְתְּ. נְפַק רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא וּדְרַשׁ: ״וּצְדָקָה תַּצִּיל מִמָּוֶת״, וְלֹא מִמִּיתָה מְשׁוּנָּה, אֶלָּא מִמִּיתָה עַצְמָהּ. וּמִדְּרַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק נָמֵי אֵין מַזָּל לְיִשְׂרָאֵל. דְּאִימֵּיהּ דְּרַב נַחְמָן בַּר יִצְחָק אָמְרִי לַהּ כַּלְדָּאֵי: בְּרִיךְ גַּנָּבָא הָוֵה. לָא שְׁבַקְתֵּיהּ גַּלּוֹיֵי רֵישֵׁיהּ. אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ: כַּסִּי רֵישָׁיךָ, כִּי הֵיכִי דְּתִיהְוֵי עֲלָךְ אֵימְתָא דִשְׁמַיָּא, וּבְעִי רַחֲמֵי. לָא הֲוָה יָדַע אַמַּאי קָאָמְרָה לֵיהּ. יוֹמָא חַד יָתֵיב קָא גָרֵיס תּוּתֵי דִיקְלָא, נְפַל גְּלִימָא מֵעִילָּוֵי רֵישֵׁיהּ, דְּלִי עֵינֵיהּ חֲזָא לְדִיקְלָא, אַלְּמֵיהּ יִצְרֵיהּ, סְלֵיק, פַּסְקֵיהּ לְקִיבּוּרָא בְּשִׁינֵּיהּ.
Is it because Jupiter is situated in the west that you cannot have children? I will restore it and establish it in the east. And that is the meaning of that which is written with regard to Abraham: “Who has raised up one from the east, he will call justice [tzedek] to his steps [leraglo]. He gives nations before him, and makes him rule over kings; his sword makes them as the dust, his bow as the driven stubble” (Isaiah 41:2). God established Jupiter [tzedek] in the east on behalf of [leraglo] Abraham. And from that which transpired to Shmuel, one can also conclude that there is no constellation for the Jewish people. The Gemara relates that Shmuel and the gentile sage Ablet were sitting, and they saw these people were going to the lake. Ablet said to Shmuel: This person will go and he will not return, because a snake will bite him and he will die. Shmuel said to him: If he is a Jew, he will go and come back. As they were sitting for a while, the person they discussed went away and then returned. Ablet stood up, threw down the person’s burden, and inside he found a snake cut and cast in two pieces. Shmuel said to him: What did you do to merit being saved from death? The person said to him: Every day we all take bread together and eat from the bread. Today, there was one of us who did not have bread, and when it came time to gather the bread, he was embarrassed because he did not have any to give. I said to the others: I will go and take the bread. When I came to the person who did not have bread, I rendered myself as one who was taking from him so that he would not be embarrassed. Shmuel said to him: You performed a mitzva. Shmuel went out and taught based on this incident that even though it is written: “And charity will save from death” (Proverbs 10:2), it does not only mean that it will save a person from an unusual death but even from death itself. And from that which transpired to Rabbi Akiva as well it can be derived that there is no constellation for the Jewish people, as Rabbi Akiva had a daughter, and Chaldean astrologers told him that on the same day that she enters the wedding canopy, a snake will bite her and she will die. She was very worried about this. On that day, her wedding day, she took the ornamental pin from her hair and stuck it into a hole in the wall for safekeeping, and it happened that it entered directly into the eye of the snake. In the morning, when she took the pin, the snake was pulled and came out with it. Her father Rabbi Akiva said to her: What did you do to merit being saved from the snake? She told him: In the evening a poor person came and knocked on the door, and everyone was preoccupied with the feast and nobody heard him. I stood and took the portion that you had given me and gave it to him. Rabbi Akiva said to her: You performed a mitzva, and you were saved in its merit. Rabbi Akiva went out and taught based on this incident that even though it is written: “And charity will save from death” (Proverbs 10:2), it does not mean that it will save a person only from an unusual death, but even from death itself. And from that which transpired to Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak as well it can be derived that there is no constellation for the Jewish people, As Chaldean astrologers told Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak’s mother: Your son will be a thief. She did not allow him to uncover his head. She said to her son: Cover your head so that the fear of Heaven will be upon you, and pray for Divine mercy. He did not know why she said this to him. One day he was sitting and studying beneath a palm tree that did not belong to him, and the cloak fell off of his head. He lifted his eyes and saw the palm tree. He was overcome by impulse and he climbed up and detached a bunch of dates with his teeth. Apparently, he had an inborn inclination to steal, but was able to overcome that inclination with proper education and prayer.
JERUSALEM TALMUD
תְּרֵין תַּלְמִידִין מִן דְּרִבִּי חֲנִינָה הֲווֹן נָֽפְקִין מִקְטוֹעַ כִּיסִּין. חַמְתּוֹן חָדָא אִיסְטְרוֹלוֹגוּס. אִילֵּין תְּרֵין מִי נָֽפְקִין וְלָא חָֽזְרִין. מִי נָֽפְקִין פְּגַע בָּהֶן חַד סָב. אֲמַר לוֹן. זָכוּן עִמִּי. דְּאִית לִי תְלָתָא יוֹמִין דְּלָא טֲעַמִית כְּלוּם. וַהֲוָה עִמּוֹן חַד עִיגּוּל. קַצּוֹן פַּלְגָּא וִיהֲבִינֵיהּ לֵיהּ. אֲכַל וּצְלִִי עֲלֵיהוֹן. אָמַר לוֹן. תִּתְקַייֵם לְכוֹן נַפְשֵׁיכוֹן בְּהָדֵין יוֹמָא. הֵיךְ דְּקִײַמְתּוֹן לִי נַפְשִׁי בְּהָדֵין יוֹמָא. נַפְקוּן בְשָׁלוֹם וְחָֽזְרוּן בְשָׁלוֹם. וַהֲווּ תַמָּן בְּנֵי אִינַשׁ דְּשָֽׁמְעוּן קָלֵיהּ. אָֽמְרִין לֵיהּ. וְלֹא כֵן אָמַרְתָּ. אִילֵּין תְּרֵין מִי נָֽפְקִין וְלָא חָֽזְרִין. אֲמַר. אִי דְהָכָא גַבְרָא שֶׁקֶר דְּאִיסְטְרוֹלוֹגִיּיָא דִידֵיהּ שְׁקָרִין. אֲפִילוּ כֵן אָֽזְלוֹן וּפִשָׂפְּשׂוֹן וְאַשְׁכְּחוֹן חֲכִינָה פַּלְגָּא בְּהָדָא מוּבְלָא וּפַּלְגָּא בְּהָדָא מוּבְלָא. אָֽמְרוּ. מַה טִיבוּ עַבַדְתּוֹן יוֹמָא דֵין. וְתַנְייָן לֵיהּ עוּבְדָא. אֲמַר. וּמַה הַהוּא גַבְרָא יְכִיל עֲבִיד. דֶּאֱלֹהָהוֹן דִּי יְהוּדַאִי מִתְפַּייֵס כְּפַלְגּוּת עִיגּוּל. רִבִּי חוּנָה מִשְׁתָּעֵי הָדֵין עוֹבָדָא. חַד גִּיּוּר הֲוָה אִיסְטְרוֹלוֹגוֹס. חַד זְמַן אֲתַא בָּעֵי מֵיפּוּק. אֲמַר. כְּדוֹן נָֽפְקִין. חָזַר וָמַר. כְּלוּם אִידַבְקָת בְּהָדָא אוּמְתָא קַדִּישְׁתָּא לָא לָמֶפְרוֹשׁ מִן אִילֵּין מִילַּייָא. נֵיפּוּק עַל שְׁמֵיהּ דְּבָרְייָן. קְרִיב לְמַכְסָה וְהַב לֵהּ חַמְרָא וְאָֽכְלָה. מָאן גָּרַם לֵיהּ דְּיִפּוֹל. בְּגִין דְּהִרְהֵר. מָאן גָּרַם לֵיהּ דְּאִישְׁתֵּיזִיב. בְּגִין דְּאִיתְרְחֶץ עַל בָּרְייֵהּ.
Two students of Rebbi Ḥanina went out to chop wood. An astrologer saw them, these two if they go out will not return. When they went out they met an old man who told them, acquire merit by me; for three days I did not eat anything. They had a loaf with them, cut off half of it and gave it to him. He ate and prayed for them; he said to them, may your life be preserved today as you did preserve my life today. They went out in peace and returned in peace. There were people there who had heard his voice and told him, did you not say, these two if they go out will not return? He said, if it is so, this man is a liar and his astrology consists of lies. Nevertheless they went and investigated and found a viper half in this load and half in the other load. They asked, what good deed did you do today? They told him the facts. He said, what can this man do if the Jew’s God is propitiated by half a loaf! Rebbi Ḥuna told the following happening. A convert was an astrologer. Once he wanted to go on a trip. He said, does one go now? He changed his mind and said, did I not cling to this holy people to separate myself from these things? I shall go in the name of our Creator. He came close to the toll gate when his donkey kicked and (ate it) [threw him off]. What caused him to fall? Because he thought of it. Why was he saved? Because he trusted in his Creator.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES
כְּתַנָּאֵי וַה׳ בֵּרַךְ אֶת אַבְרָהָם בַּכֹּל מַאי בַּכֹּל רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר שֶׁלֹּא הָיְתָה לוֹ בַּת רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר שֶׁהָיְתָה לוֹ בַּת אֲחֵרִים אוֹמְרִים בַּת הָיְתָה לוֹ לְאַבְרָהָם וּבַכֹּל שְׁמָהּ רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר הַמּוֹדָעִי אוֹמֵר אִיצְטַגְנִינוּת הָיְתָה בְּלִבּוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ שֶׁכׇּל מַלְכֵי מִזְרָח וּמַעֲרָב מַשְׁכִּימִין לְפִתְחוֹ רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי אוֹמֵר אֶבֶן טוֹבָה הָיְתָה תְּלוּיָה בְּצַוָּארוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ שֶׁכׇּל חוֹלֶה הָרוֹאֶה אוֹתוֹ מִיָּד מִתְרַפֵּא וּבְשָׁעָה שֶׁנִּפְטַר אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ מִן הָעוֹלָם תְּלָאָהּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא בְּגַלְגַּל חַמָּה אָמַר אַבָּיֵי הַיְינוּ דְּאָמְרִי אִינָשֵׁי אִידַּלִּי יוֹמָא אִידַּלִּי קְצִירָא
The Gemara comments that this disagreement is parallel to a dispute between tanna’im: The Torah states: “And the Lord blessed Abraham with everything [bakkol]” (Genesis 24:1), and the Sages disagree about what bakkol means. Rabbi Meir says: The blessing is that he did not have a daughter. Rabbi Yehuda says: On the contrary, the blessing was that he had a daughter. Others say: Abraham had a daughter and her name was Bakkol. Rabbi Elazar HaModa’i says: Abraham our forefather was so knowledgeable in astrology [itztagninut] that all the kings of the East and the West would come early to his door due to his wisdom. This is the blessing of bakkol, that he possessed knowledge that everybody needed. Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai says: A precious stone hung around the neck of Abraham our forefather; any sick person who looked at it would immediately be healed. When Abraham our forefather died, the Holy One, Blessed be He, hung this stone from the sphere of the sun, which from that point on brought healing to the sick. Abaye said: This explains the adage that people say: As the day progresses, sickness is lifted.
וַיּוֹצֵא אֹתוֹ הַחוּצָה אָמַר לְפָנָיו רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם הִסְתַּכַּלְתִּי בַּמַּזָּל שֶׁלִּי וְאֵין לִי אֶלָּא בֵּן אֶחָד אָמַר לוֹ צֵא מֵאִיצְטַגְנִינוּת שֶׁלְּךָ אֵין מַזָּל לְיִשְׂרָאֵל
The Gemara expounds the verse “and He brought him outside” (Genesis 15:5): Abraham said before Him: Master of the Universe, I looked at my constellation and according to it I will have only one son, and a son has already been born to me, i.e., Ishmael. He said to him: Emerge from your astrology because there is no constellation for the Jewish people, as they are not subject to the influence of astrology.