excerpt from sefer ketem paz

translated By Yaakov Kronenberg

Know that from the secret of this circle our ancestors knew all the future events that were to come, according to the decrees and judgment of the wise one may he be blessed.

And we also received that the one who is worthy to have the proper intention at the true times when the constellations rule, at the time they will begin to rule each and every month, each person according to his burden and his work. He will know and understand to find that which he needs. Because when he finds the name (of god) that rules over that situation or constellation or planet which is under it, from the seven planets which he distributed, they could tell the future.

And this was the wisdom of the Jews that they raised themselves and exalted them above all the nations, as it says “this is your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the nations” and our Rabbis said “these are the seasons and the constellations”. And it says “the children of Issachar have knowledge to understand the times”.

Also, even though the nations knew the judgments of the constellations and the planets, they were missing the main thing, which is the permutations of gods names which are above them. And they judge according to what the constellations say and not according to what the names determine which the essential is.

introduction to jewish astrology

By Yaakov Kronenberg

The oldest book in the Jewish library is a book called Sefer Yetizra {The Book of Formation}. It was written by Abraham Avinu who was born in the Hebrew year 1948. This means the book was written about 4800 years ago.

A good portion of this book is devoted to the ancient science of astrology. Actually Abraham Avinu came to his realization of god through the study of astrology. It is related in the Talmud that Abraham watched the motion of the planets and saw there influence on the earth and came to the realization that there must be a higher cause influencing the planets.

And does astrology really work? The Talmud relates that Abraham said to God” I see through astrology that I will be childless”. God said back to him “leave your astrology, Israel is not under the influence of the stars”. God did not say leave astrology because it is not a science or because it is nonsense, rather he said astrology is true but the Jews are above the stars.

And they are above the stars because God gave Israel the commandments, and through fulfilling the commandments they are able to transcend who they are and the influence of the times.

For example, in Tel Aviv women on average have three children, while in Jerusalem the birth rate is closer to six. I don’t think this is because Jerusalem women have better mazel for children but because of the commandment to be fruitful and multiply, which alters how they receive the planetary influences.

Yes it is not only how the energy is sent from above but also how you receive the energy. I remember a story about my Rabbi’s grandfather, a famous cabbalist. A women not very modestly dressed came to him requesting a blessing. He answered” I can give a blessing but can you receive it”.

Also remember with astrology you can not see everything, if you could there would have been no need for the prophets. Also astrologers even the best make many incorrect judgments and like was said people can rise above their mazel.

This is an introduction to Jewish astrology that I wrote for a Jewish Woman’s magazine in Europe. In the coming months I will develop a lot of the ideas mentioned in this article.

Dangerous days of the month from the book Kuntress HaYechieli

Translated By Yaakov Kronenberg

The Arizal may his merit protect us wrote “these are the days that are dangerous to begin on them or to do on them anything, you should not start on a journey, and you should not make a garment nor should you take a wife nor should you let blood because everything a person does on these days he endangers himself. In any case, the merciful should save him.”

These dates mentioned apply to all generations and they said about them ” anyone who starts something in the world whether in the sea or on land, buying or selling, lending or borrowing, building or planting, engaging or marrying a women or requesting a position of power or honor on these days, the end will whither away.”

And they also said “it is not decreed on a person death or loss etc except because he started on them and these are the days.

Jewish Horoscopes

by Yaakov Kronenberg

• What is different about a Jewish Horoscope in relation to a western Horoscope?

The western astrology has been influenced in a large degree by modern psychology. Most modern western astrology books are heavily influence by Jung and his theory of psychology. Many of the books on astrology are written by psychologists. Therefore these books have a psychological orientation. They interpret the stars as symbols that reflect on the individual personal situation. Their cure for the individual, therefore, is through modifying the personality through psychology. The various faction with in the psychiatric world who have opposing ideas as to how to bring about a cure, shows that in reality, the psychological aspect is severely lacking in it’s ability to bring a true cure to the person.

The Jewish method is based on ancient mystical tradition. This tradition is based on the structure of creation from the first day onwards. The horoscope on the first man, Adam, is known according to tradition. Now, each person (who is descendant from Adam), can examine his horoscope based on where his horoscope is found inside the horoscope of Adam.

Adam, since God created him, was the ideal man. By understanding how this ideal man functions, and by understanding the horoscope of the individual person, and seeing how he differs from the ideal man, we are able to explain to him what must be done to actualize a change.

Ancient Mystical Hand used in determining Horoscopes

• What is the difference between Eastern horoscopes and Jewish horoscopes?

The Eastern astrology disagrees with the Western astrology.

The western astrology is based on the tropical zodiac, whereas the Eastern astrology is based on the siderial zodiac. Because of this, the Western astrology has a psychological understanding of the zodiac and lacks in accuracy in predictions. The Eastern astrology is event oriented, they will tell you what happened in the past and what will happen in the future with much grater accuracy.

Jewish astrology is also event oriented, but since it focuses on the soul of a person, it can not only predict events, but it can also get an in-depth understanding of a person not based on his psychological character, but based on his soul. More importantly, the three systems of astrology, Eastern, Western, and Jewish all try to effect a change in the person’s life in completely different ways. Western astrology tries to help a person through personality modifications based on modern psychology.

Eastern astrology tries to help in two ways:

1. For minor problems, the wearing of charms which can alter the energy that influences his fate.
2. For more serious problems, there are mantras (chants) which can offset ill influences from the stars.

It should be noted that the method of effecting a change is not based on the individual making a change in his life, but rather changes being effected in the cosmic energy flow from the stars.

Judaism approaches the rectification of the bad planetary influences through a system of going above the celestial planets and connecting to a higher energy source. This is based upon ancient teachings that enable one to connect one’s soul to his source through proper behavior according to the dictates of the Creator. The more a person is able to adhere to this mystical behavior pattern as revealed through ancient mystical texts, the more a person is able to rise above the evil influences of the stars. This change in behavior also effects a change in his personality. This is a much deeper correction than either the Eastern or Western systems.

• Does Jewish astrology work for non-Jews as well as for Jews?

Each person possesses a unique soul. Through his G-d given soul he is capable of connecting and rising above the dictates of the constellations. Because of the place that there souls reside in relation to the soul of Adam, there is a slight difference between a Jew and a non Jew, but both will benefit more from the ancient mystical Jewish horoscope, than from the Eastern or Western horoscopes.

• What is the tradition that gives a Jewish horoscope its special favor?

The tradition is based on the blueprint of creation. Since each person has his source in the first man, Adam. Therefore, by understanding the first man’s horoscope in relation to your individual horoscope, the individual’s place in the universe becomes defined and the repair necessary to effect changes can be accurately forecasted.

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