Astrology in Judaism: The Jewish View on Fate, Stars, and Divine Providence

Astrology rests on several key assumptions:

1. The stars and celestial bodies influence what happens on Earth.

2. Every person is subject to the power of the zodiac signs.

3. By knowing the paths and current positions of the stars, one can predict success or failure for individuals or nations.

4. The people of Israel are like all other nations, under the same cosmic influences.

Let us examine these assumptions through the lens of Jewish thought.

Avraham and the Birth of Astrology

Interestingly, this field dates back to the time of Avraham our forefather, around 2,000 years after Creation. The sages teach that Avraham himself was deeply knowledgeable in this science. The Midrash relates that Avraham saw through astrology that he would not have children. God told him, “Go out from your astrology. Avram will not father a child, but Avraham will.” (Bereishit 15:18, Midrash)

This story indicates that astrology was already a known and practiced discipline — but more importantly, it reveals a central truth of Jewish belief, that the world is created and divinely guided.

If all reality were random — if stars merely took their positions through chance cosmic explosions, how could their positions determine future events? No astrologer can predict the winning lottery number; at best, they speak in vague generalities.

Astrology in Egypt and the Time of Pharaoh

Astrology played a central role in ancient Egypt. The Torah describes Pharaoh’s magicians and sorcerers as powerful astrologers and occultists.

When Pharaoh dreamed his strange dreams, he summoned “all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men” (Bereishit 41:8).
According to Rashi, these magicians communicated with the dead — a form of supernatural divination.

Later, when Moshe and Aaron performed miracles before Pharaoh, his own magicians replicated some of them through “their enchantments” (Shemot 7:11–12), though Aaron’s staff ultimately swallowed theirs — a sign that divine power surpasses all other forces.

The Midrash tells us that Pharaoh mocked Moshe and Aaron, saying: “Do you bring straw to Ephraim?” (a metaphor meaning, “Do you bring magic to Egypt, the land full of magicians?”)

Egypt indeed excelled in astrology and sorcery, but these powers vanished from the world after prophecy ceased in Israel.

Pharaoh’s Astrological Misreading

When Pharaoh finally realized he could not stop the Israelites from leaving Egypt, he warned Moshe: “See that evil (ra’ah) is before you.” (Shemot 10:10) Rashi explains that Pharaoh saw through astrology a star named Ra’ah, a sign of blood and death, rising before them in the desert. 

Later, when Israel sinned with the Golden Calf, God said to Moshe, “Why should Egypt say, ‘He brought them out with evil intent — to kill them in the mountains’?” (Shemot 32) God then transformed that ominous “blood” into the blood of circumcision, as Yehoshua later said: “Today I have removed the shame of Egypt from you.” (Yehoshua 5:9)

The star indeed signified blood, but its meaning changed from destruction to sanctity. This teaches that even when the stars “foretell” events, God can alter their meaning. The heavenly bodies follow divine command and possess no independent power.

“There Is No Mazal for Israel”

The Midrash declares: “Ein mazal l’Yisrael” — There is no fate (astrological influence) for Israel.

This does not mean that the stars do not exist, but rather that the Jewish people are above their control. As the Torah says: “For these nations that you are driving out listen to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the Lord your God has not permitted you to do so.”
(Devarim 18:14)

Other nations may live under the laws of nature and astrology, but Israel lives under direct divine providence. Thus, the Torah commands: “Be wholehearted with the Lord your God.”
(Devarim 18:13)

Rashi explains: “Walk with Him in simplicity and trust; do not seek to know the future. Accept whatever comes upon you with faith, and then you will be His portion.”

True peace of mind comes from this faith — not from horoscopes or planetary alignments.

• Astrology can never give precise knowledge; its predictions are always vague and uncertain.

• The Jewish people stand above the stars and constellations.

• A person can change their fate through good deeds, prayer, charity, and repentance.

• The very existence of astrology serves as indirect proof of a Creator — a planner who designed and governs the universe.