Parsha Encounters

 

 

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Parshas Lech Licha:
The Challenge from Within
Rabbi Dovid Rifkind

Parsha Encounters  [See the new "Halacha Encounters" segment below - fascinating insights into various topics in Jewish law.]

In the beginning of this week's parsha, Avraham Avinu is presented with the third of his ten tests of faith from Hashem.

"Go for yourself from your land, from your relatives' place and from your father's house to the land that I will show you." (Bereishis 12:1)

Avraham is told to leave his homeland and travel without knowing his eventual destination.  On the surface, it is difficult to understand the nature of this test.  Avraham is told, "Go for yourself," and Rashi explains this to mean - go for your pleasure and for your benefit.  As the Torah then goes on to say, "and I will make of you a great nation.  I will bless you and make your name great." (12:2)

If indeed Avraham was promised great glory and riches in his new destination, what great show of faith did he exhibit in leaving his homeland?  It is not out of the ordinary for one to uproot himself and his family for the promise of riches somewhere else.

Perhaps the answer can be found in the wording of Hashem's commandment to Avraham.  He was told to leave his land, his relative's place, and his father's house.  Seemingly, the order is backwards.  Wouldn't he have first left his father's house, then his relatives and lastly his land?

The Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh answers this question by saying that the Torah is listing what Avraham was told to do in order of severity.  The fact that he had to leave his homeland was not as difficult as the fact that he had to leave his relatives and leaving his relatives was less of a challenge than leaving behind his father's house.

Avraham was not only being told to physically leave his land, but to disconnect from his past.  Because the influence his father's house had on him was certainly much greater than that of his relatives or of his homeland, the true test was to see whether he could internally leave behind his upbringing.

In a similar vein, Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner, zt"l was known to comment regarding the tendency of American yeshiva students to go abroad for several years of study in yeshivos  in Israel, "It's easy to get the bachur out of America.  What is difficult is getting America out of the bachur."

This was Avraham Avinu's test and this is the test we grapple with daily -  trying to live in America, while realizing that we are not, first and foremost, Americans. 

May we be zocheh that the merit of Avrahom Avinu successfully meeting his challenges hold us in good stead.

Rabbi Rifkind, an alumnus of the Chicago Community Kollel, is a Rebbe at the Arie Crown Hebrew Day School.

Halacha Encounters

Astrology in Halacha

Rabbi Ari Friedman

Throughout Shas and the Medrashim, Chazal often attribute both world events and people's destinies to Mazal.  Mazal is defined as the power given by Hashem to the celestial bodies to influence His world.  In spite of this, the Gemara states clearly that from the Pasuk "Tamim Tihiyeh im Hashem Elokecha,  And you shall be pure before Hashem your G-d" we are prohibited to consult with stargazers (Devarim, 18, 13; Psachim 113b). The Shulchan Aruch also mentions this prohibition (Y.D. 179-1). Let us explore this topic and attempt to clarify its Halachic ramifications.

To begin, the Rambam (A.Z. 11, 8-9) writes that to calculate times of good or bad luck, or to take action based on astrology is an issur lo sa'aseh (negative commandment) grouped with other prohibitions of witchcraft and sorcery.  Even consulting with astrologers without taking any action upon their conclusions is prohibited, for it is dealing with falsehood. The Rambam goes on to explain his opinion that all such practices are utter foolishness.  This stance of the Rambam is expressed throughout his many writings. He always claims that astrology, sorcery and the like are baseless practices and those who claim to predict the future based on stars are either fools or fooling others.

Many Rishonim, namely the Ramban (Teshuvos Hameyuchasos #283) strongly disagree with the Rambam, citing numerous ma'amarei Chazal (statements of our Sages found in the Talmud) validating astrology. They maintain that although the Torah prohibits such practices, there is nevertheless real wisdom to be found in astrology.

Now that we have presented this view, let us continue and understand a Midrash quoted by Rashi in this week's Parsha (15,5 Shabbos 156B).  Avraham says to Hashem, "I have looked into my astrology and I am unfit to bear a child."  Hashem replies to this observation, " Leave your astrology, Ein Mazal L'Yisrael (There is no such concept as "Mazal" when it somes to the Jewish People)."  Hashem continues, "On what basis do you determine this?  Is it because Tzedek (Jupiter) is in the west- (the cold region signifying the inability to bear children)?  I will move it to the east." The Gemora continues to relate other instances where astrologers predicted misfortunes which were avoided through the z'chus (merit) of tefillah or tzedaka.  The Rishonim explain that all agree that the constellations influence events in this world.  "Ein Mazal L'Yisrael" means that B'nai Yisrael have the ability to override their supposed fate through Torah and Mitzvos. Only those who are not close to Hashem are thrust under the "rule" of the constellations, but as members of Klal Yisrael, we may rise above any intermediary (Nimukei Yosef Sanhedrin 16B, Ran,Tosfos in Shabbos see also Sifsei Chaim on Mazalos)

It is for this reason that the Torah tells us "Tamim Tihyeh."  Do not look into astrology - you are above it.  However, the Ramban adds, although the Torah prohibits us to approach astrologers and inquire regarding our Mazal, if they happen to inform us and warn us to be aware of a certain bad Mazal, we must heed their warning and not rely on a miracle.  Only someone of Avraham Avinu's caliber is expected to totally ignore Mazal.

What remains for us to clarify is that the Gemora itself discusses various Mazalos and their effect on people.  For example, the Gemora states that somone born under the Mazal Tzedek (Saturn) will be charitable.  And someone born under Ma'adim (Mars) will be a spiller of blood.  How could Chazal involve themselves in a practice which is seemingly assur? The explanation seems to be that the Torah prohibition is to predict with accuracy future events. The future is controlled ultimately by Hashem and we need not delve into astrology.  What Chazal are telling us when discussing Mazalos is that people under the influence of a certain Mazal may have a tendency and predisposition towards a particular trait. This knowledge may be used to direct a person in building and developing his character. Other statements made by Chazal regarding Mazalos should be understood in this vein as well.

As for the Halacha in our times, those posing as astrologers may be assur to consult with for either of two possibilities.

1- They are genuine astrologers (highly doubtful) and thereby assur because of  "Tamim Tihiyeh".

2- They are phonies and are assur under the law of "Lo Senachashu" (see Ramban and Tamim Tihieh p. 26-34).

However, the study of Chachmas Hamazalos in the nature of Chazal as mentioned above is permitted. As for the horoscopes featured in various publications, they should be treated with the same seriousness as the rest of the material contained within those pages.

 

Rabbi Friedman is a full-time member of the Chicago Community Kollel.

 

 

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