Controversy Emerges Over ‘Kosher Astrology’ E-book

A guide claiming to current the genuine astrology of Chazal for the primary time has reportedly been largely tailored from non-Jewish and even Christian sources generally related to fashionable astrology.

Sadly, a number of podcasts throughout the frum group fell into this with out correct verification, closely selling the guide and successfully encouraging their viewers to have interaction with astrology that’s not aligned with a Torah perspective.

The guide “Kosher Astrology: A Jewish Information to Celestial Knowledge,” was written by Yitzchok Aharon Pinkesz, who claims to have found the astrology of Chazal for the primary time. On varied podcasts, he additionally claimed to have obtained an endorsement from Rabbi David Cohen, Rabbi of Congregation Gvul Yaavetz in Flatbush.

Due to these claims, he was invited onto quite a few frum podcasts, and his guide rapidly grew to become a bestseller.

Consequently, Rabbi Cohen has explicitly requested that or not it’s made publicly identified that the writer misrepresented his statements, and that he vehemently opposes each the guide and the writer’s actions.

Rabbi Yisroel Marelus, a Lubavitcher Chassid who spent years learning astronomy in relation to the Rambam’s Hilchos Kiddush HaChodesh, explains in a lecture that Kosher Astrology is, in his view, largely fashionable gentile astrology blended with Christian sources.

He provides that this attitude stands in distinction to the Chabad Chassidus understanding of Chochmah, Binah, and Daas, as defined in Tanya by the Alter Rebbe.

Whereas it’s established that Chazal mentioned celestial influences, he stresses that this isn’t the identical because the techniques of recent astrology practiced as we speak.

As a result of the writer presents Chazal’s teachings alongside exterior astrological techniques underneath one framework, it raises critical halachic questions. One ought to seek the advice of a professional Rav concerning whether or not such materials is acceptable to maintain in a Jewish residence.

In his lecture, Rabbi Marelus critiques fashionable astrological practices and explains why they’re thought of problematic from a halachic standpoint.

He additional explains that, even past halachic issues, this method conflicts with the Chabad Chassidus emphasis on bitachon in Hashem.

Recognized for his shiurim on Hebrew months and the astronomy of Chazal, Rabbi Marelus describes intensive analysis throughout many sefarim and manuscripts in an try and make clear the Torah method to celestial techniques. He presents his conclusions as rooted in classical sources and Chassidus.

The lecture will be seen right here:

A associated playlist is accessible right here.