Significance of Astrology in Judaism
In Judaism, Astrology is not regarded as "idol
worship," even though the generic name for "idol worship" is
"Avodat Kochavim U'Mazalot," Worship of the Stars and the Signs of the
Zodiac."
From the Jewish perspective, the stars are not unrelated to events on earth. It
is not irrelevant whether one was born on Pesach, or Yom Kippur, or Lag Ba'Omer or on any
particular day. Each day is special and has a unique imprint.
On the other hand, if an individual was born under the "sign" of Mars, the
Talmud says that he will have a tendency to spill blood. This tendency can be realized in
a number of very different ways, however, which are subject to an individual's choice. In
this case, options might be a soldier, a surgeon, a murderer, a "shochet," a
ritual slaughterer of animals, or a "mohel," one who performs ritual
circumcisions. These options correspond to a potential hero, a healer, one who violates
the "image of G-d," to those who do "holy work" of different types.
There is a principle, "Ayn Mazal L'Yisrael," "Israel's fate is not
determined by the stars." The Jew, raised in his People's traditions and Torah
values, feels the reality of "freedom of choice" in his bones. So deeply
ingrained is this knowledge and feeling, that the Jew rarely has cause to think about
astrological factors.
It is the belief that one cannot escape from the grip of the stars that
distinguishes Astrology from "Worship of the Stars and Signs of the Zodiac." It
is always possible to define one's fate, by choosing behavior which is guided by
morality and integrity, within the parameters - intellectual and emotional, physical and
spiritual, which a person is given to work with.

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