In the centuries before the Talmudic rabbis, there were numerous other ancient Jewish writers who also connected Abraham to astronomy…
Tag: midrash
Abraham the Astronomer
There is an obviously very appealing idea extant in Jewish sources that Abraham the Patriarch was an astronomer. Where do we see this idea? And where does it originate?
The Menorah and Planets
Chanukah is an opportune time to share this interesting midrash about the Menorah and planets…
Machar Chodesh: What’s Hiding in the Haftarah
“Machar Chodesh” is one of my favorite haftarot… but what’s hiding within this awesome haftarah episode from David’s adventures?
Midrash & the Making of the Moon
Shemot Rabbah on Parshat Hachodesh and Barchi Nafshi helps explain difficulty on the Moon in Genesis…
There’s a Bad Star on the Rise
In the course of the arguments of Moses and Aaron convincing Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, we find fascinating ideas that are illuminated by astronomy.
Asarah B’Tevet: The (Babylonian) Empire Strikes Back & The Torah Awakens
A New Hope is followed by The Empire Strikes Back… and Chanukah is shortly after followed by Asarah B’Tevet. In these, the rebels/Jews are besieged – on Hoth or in Jerusalem…
The First Festival of Light
Chanukah is often referred to as the Festival of Light(s). But it is not the first Festival of Light in the world, as the Talmud tells us.
The First Light
Conflict between Genesis and modern science?
Ancient rabbinic midrashim already have an understanding in consonance with modern scientific ideas!
AstroRav: Torah & Astronomy 