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.

Jewish Kabalistic Horoscope for 2010

By Yaakov Kronenberg and the Jewish Magazine staff

Each year we go to visit our resident star gazer, Yaakov Kronenberg, who has given us some very interesting and astounding horoscopes. Since we are beginning the new secular year, we have asked Yaakov to give us his forecasts for this new year.

Jmag Staff: Yaakov, what do you see in this coming year, 2010?

Yaakov: It is going to be a year with changes. The planets are starting to move signs. Saturn is moving from Virgo, which is a weak sign to Libra where Saturn is exalted and powerful. Uranus the planet of sudden change is moving from the weak sign Pisces to the very powerful sign of Aries, which is the sign of warfare. Pluto just entered the sign of Capricorn which is also very powerful. In the next year all three of these planets will be square and opposite each other. When two planets are at 90 degrees from each other it means that they are in conflict with each other. When they are 180 degrees opposite they are even more intractable foes. We see that Saturn is opposite Uranus, and both of them are squared to Pluto. Pluto is a very warlike planet so this year it looks like we will see a lot of problems.

The first time Saturn and Uranus went opposite each other in 2008, the stock market crashed and there was a financial crisis in the world. This time it seems that we are heading towards political crises between and within countries. There is a good chance that we will be seeing more military operations in the world. This seems to be in the middle of the summer, June or July. There is quite a chance that there will be a war with Iran. More than Israel is afraid of Iran, the other Arab countries fear Iran’s getting a nuclear bomb and it is quite possible that they are quietly pushing America to do something about it.

It seems that after every economic crisis comes political crises in their wake. In order to save their country, America went heavily into debt. Many other countries also went into debt to aid in reviving their countries. The fallout from the economic crises has not really begun yet. We can expect to see much instability both financially and politically. There are now several European countries which are on the verge of bankruptcy and if they falter they will trigger a larger financial crisis.

The world is heading for a shortage of raw materials and there might be a water shortage somewhere in the coming year. The shortages of raw material could possibly trigger political and economic conflicts between countries and even rebellions inside countries.

It will not be a quiet year; it will be one of much global action. Israel is going to be part of the global action; hopefully it will be only a small part.

Netanyahu still has a very difficult chart, but this year will go easier for him. Next year, 2011, it will become more difficult for Netanyahu and Israel. Economically speaking, Israel’s chart the economy is okay; the major problem in Israel is housing. Now it does not seem like there is much pressure for Israel to do much to make peace with the Arabs, but in 2011 there will be quite a bit of pressure put on Israel to make compromises or as they say, painful concessions.

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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.