Author: astrorav

Lunar Observations in Rosh Hashanah

The Daf Yomi cycle just finished studying Masechet Rosh Hashanah. Mazal tov to all those who have completed this study! In Masechet Rosh Hashanah observations of the Moon play a very significant role. A major topic of study in this tractate is how the ancient Jewish “calendar” worked. In fact, it was not really a…

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Ramban and the Early Atmosphere

Ramban’s comments on the meorot (heavenly luminaries) and rakia (firmament; or sky…) connect to the Earth’s early history…

Black Holes in Pesachim

The very first line of Pesachim focuses attention on one of astronomers’ favorite topics: light! Or does it?

Shavuot, Philo, Astronomy and Pythagoreans

The first century CE Jewish philosopher Philo of Alexandria, in glowing terms, describes the holiday of Shavuot and its underlying reasons based on mathematics – and astronomy!

The Menorah and Planets

Chanukah is an opportune time to share this interesting midrash about the Menorah and planets…

Bereishit and the Nobel Prize

The 2019 Nobel Prize in Physics “for the discovery of an exoplanet orbiting a solar-type star” can help understand a midrash on Bereishit…

HaAdam Al HaYareach (Man on the Moon) Part 4

In 1969 Rabbi Menachem Kasher, one of the gedolim [= great Torah scholars] of the twentieth century, published a series of Torah thought essays related to the most amazing event of his time, or any time ever in human history: the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, this week I am…

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