Halachot and Customs
Do the Zodiac Signs Have a Source in Judaism?
Question
Hello, honorable Rabbi,
Are the zodiac signs (Aries, Libra, Scorpio, etc.) part of the Torah/Judaism? If so, what is their source? And are the predictions in various newspapers based on the Torah or do they belong to the nations?
Strength and courage.
Answer
Greetings, Indeed, according to Judaism, as it appears in the Sefer Yetzirah (Chapter 5), there are twelve zodiac signs, namely Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. However, generally, through prayer and merit, Israel can change their zodiac sign for the better (see Tractate Shabbat 156a, and Rashi there, "There is no mazal for Israel"). I do not know about what is written in the newspapers; nevertheless, one should not engage in or investigate such matters. As stated in the Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah (Siman 179, section 1), one does not inquire about matters from contracts based on the stars. The Rama wrote: "Because it is said, 'You shall be wholehearted with Hashem your God.'" And there (section 2) he wrote: "Regarding what a person knows is contrary to his mazal, he should neither do it nor rely on a miracle, but one should not investigate these matters because of 'you shall be wholehearted.'" Blessings, Hillel Meirs
עברית
