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'''Tedius Zanarukando''' (born [[November 8]], [[1979]]) is an insanely avid fan of Square Enix's [[Final Fantasy]] series.  He is a former student of Piedmont Technical College of South Carolina.  The name Tedius Zanarukando is pronounced SHAY-zhee-uhs tsuh-nah-ryoo-KAHN-doh. The "t" and "d" in Tedius is very soft, in order to prevent confusion with the word "tedious." Tedius Zanarukando is a descendant of Adolphus Cheek and Martin Poole, who fought in the Civil War. His maternal ancestors were farmers. An African American male, Zanarukando was born David Odis Hill to the union of Richard Watson Hill, Sr., and Helen Hunter-Hill in Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in [[Knoxville]], [[Tennessee]], after dark. He is the youngest of three boys. His oldest brother Richard, Jr. was born before dark on August 11, 1970, and his other older brother Sidney was born after dark on September 25, 1973. He was raised in his mother's homeland Laurens County, South Carolina, which is economically impaired. Laurens County was named in honor of Henry Laurens, a Revolutionary War lieutenant. They had to travel long distances to buy valuable things. His parents and brothers are Jehovah's Witnesses. He used to attend the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, until Grand Theft Auto III got blamed for society's problems. He left the religious organization, because most of its doctrine and principles violate his preferences and therefore too restrictive for him. Also, He was despised by Jehovah's Witnesses. He is finished with school and college. 2002 was the worst year for him, and 1999 was the second worst year for him. His dear Uncle Sullee Sunny Clyburn, an Air Force veteran, died of lymphoma at Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center at dark on April 26, 2002. Clyburn served in the [[Korean War]]. Many of Zanarukando's maternal relatives are veterans. Zanarukando's cousin Mark Eldred Hunter served in [[Gulf War I]].  Zanarukando also has a maternal relative who fought in [[Gulf War II]].

Zanarukando's school age was from 1985 to 1998. Zanarukando started school at Ford Elementary School in Laurens, [[South Carolina]]. During his school age, He was assigned to special education classes. He was held back one grade in Kindergarten, ending up in the high school class of 1999. The situation was reversed by promoting him to the sixth grade in the middle of the 1991-1992 school year. He was transfered to Hickory Tavern School in 1988. He was assigned to a self-contained class, until eighth grade when He was mainstreamed to traditonal classes. He graduated from Hickory Tavern School on May 31, 1994. Originally a K-8 school, Hickory Tavern School is now Hickory Tavern Middle School. I enrolled to Laurens District 55 High School (founded in 1972) on August 19, 1994. He attended special education classes one period per semester. He studied French and several computer courses. During his senior, I wrote a research paper about the King James Version of the Bible in 1997. His research paper is still on his computer, and he prints a copy of it once a year. Zanarukando graduated from high school without honors on May 26, 1998, after dark. On June 10-14, 1998, he was on a so-called senior trip with his parents, aunts, and uncles. He toured Washington, D.C., and New York City. He enrolled to Piedmont Technical College of South Carolina (founded in 1966) on August 17, 1998. He majored in computer programming, and I studied Spanish and accounting there. He studied COBOL, C programming language, and Visual Basic. Zanarukando graduated from [http://piedmont.tec.sc.us/ Piedmont Technical College] on December 13, 2001, receiving an Associates Degree in Computer Technology. Now he is studying piano at Austin Academy of Fine Arts (founded in 1933) in Greenville, South Carolina.

Zanarukando's hobbies include playing video games (especially his favorite game series [[Final Fantasy]]), listen to music (including Final Fantasy music), surfing the Internet, going out with friends, posting on forums like this one, play Final Fantasy songs on various instruments, translating, reading and writing, singing, and fitness. He is a fan of realism, having a computer equipped with a sound card with realistic wavetable synthesis. His favorite movie star is [[Will Smith]]. His least favorite movie star is [[Jeanne Tripplehorn]]. His favorite motion picture is [[Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within]], and his second favorite picture is Men in Black. His least favorite motion picture is Time Code. His favorite types of music are R&B, jazz, Latin, classical, and video game music. Zanarukando hates country and heavy metal music. His favorite video game music artist is [[Nobuo Uematsu]]. He imports Final Fantasy soundtracks through GameMusic.com, because he loves Final Fantasy more than anything else.

Zanarukando was introduced to video games in 1984. His first game system is the Atari 5200, and his last game system is the Sony Playstation 2. The first video game he ever played was Astro Smash, and the last game he have played is Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter. His favorite video game series is [[Final Fantasy]], and SimCity is the only game series that is anywhere close to it.  He loves Final Fantasy with his whole heart, and more than anything else, including his own life.  He is bent on becoming one of the world's biggest Final Fantasy fans.  His favorite video game is Final Fantasy X; it has a special part of his heart. The Final Fantasy series lies in the core of his heart. Therefore, he hates being part of any religious organization that has a principle that violates or discourages Final Fantasy fandom, or read any literature, article, or Web site that is an offense to Final Fantasy fans, or listen to any speech or discourse that like that. He hates Zany Brainy for discontinuing the sale of Final Fantasy games and later for discontinuing the sale of video games in general.

Zanarukando is 100% passionate about computer technology. He has been using computers since 1988. I took computer classes in both high school and college. I type 98 words per minute. In 1998, because of Microsoft's evil business practices, he started his own business, which is to be called Technoscopion Inc. His company's future headquarter campus may be under construction. Technoscopion is to be a primarily a PC software business. As for languages, Zanarukando has been studying or brushing up on French, Spanish, Italian, Latin, and Japanese.  Technoscopion would venture into console arena, establishing a new console called the Technoscopion Legendary Computer Entertainment System (TCLCES).

Zanarukando is afraid that no woman wants to be romantically involved with him. Therefore, it seems that his true love does not exist. Women usually do not treat him as good as men. 

Zanarukando loves/likes the following: [[Final Fantasy]] (I love it more than anything), [[SimCity]] (a close second to precedent like), [[SaGa]], [[Seiken Densetsu]], [[Chrono]], [[Dragon Warrior]], Front Mission, [[Breath of Fire]], Suikoden, Tales, Legaia, [[Fire Emblem]], Ys, [[Super Smash Bros.]], [[Star Wars]], [[Star Trek]], [[Tetris]], [[Metroid]], [[Star Fox]], F-Zero, [[Legend of Zelda]], [[Pokémon]], R-Type, Gradius, Tekken, [[Castlevania]], Mega Man, King of Fighters, [[Street Fighter]], [[Kirby]], Gran Turismo, console RPGs, game consoles, [[Square Enix]], LucasArts, Konami, [[enhanced_remake|enhanced remakes]] (especially in consoles), computers, true computer graphics (especially high resolution), antialiasing, making computer graphics, word processing, painting, translating from [[English language|English]] to [[Spanish]], [[French]], [[Italian language|Italian]], and [[Latin]]; translating from [[Japanese]] to English, Internet, creating PowerPoint presentations, creating MS Publisher publications, PS2, GameCube, [[SNES]], [[Gameboy Advance]], realism, video game music, live-orchestrated classical music, R&B music, jazz, latin music, romantic motion pictures, science-fiction motion pictures, medieval motion pictures, Western motion pictures, [[Will Smith]], [[R. Kelly]], Kevin Garnett, [[Kobe Bryant]] and his wife, [[Hironobu Sakaguchi]], [[Nobuo Uematsu]], [[Yasunori Mitsuda]], Junya Nakano, Masashi Hamauzu, Gabrielle Union, Salma Hayek, [[Catherine Zeta-Jones]], [[Rosalyn Sanchez]], playing the musical instruments, [[chocolate]] (especially dark chocolate), [[ice cream]], peanut butter, caramel, [[cinnamon]], cookies, crackers, cakes, pies, beef, chicken, ham, barbeque, grapes, strawberries, oranges, granny-smith apples, muscadines, cherries, plums, prunes, raisins, blueberries, bacon, sausage, pancakes, waffles, wheat bread, rolls, muffins, yogurt, eat at many restaurants (except Asian restaurants and Applebee's), posting at forums (especially Aura), Final Fantasy sites (if they favor the series), RPG sites (with no anti-FF content), building Web sites, making new friends, associate with friends and fellow Final Fantasy fans (especially Final Fantasy X fans), free countries, liberty, democracy, republics, high-paying jobs, business management, [[skyscraper|skyscrapers]], futuristic architecture, convincing short hair and shaven-head young civilian women (non-monks) to grow long hair, and beautiful civilian women (preferably either African-American or with long hair), and several other things. 

Zanarukando hates/dislikes the following: Reverse sexism, restrictive discussion of the dark side of electronic games (mostly done by religious people), the [[ESRB]], Zany Brainy, Barney the Dinosaur, [[Grand Theft Auto]] series (no offense to GTA fans), [[Mortal Kombat]] series, Koudelka and Shadow Hearts series, [[Xbox]], [[Microsoft]], anti-Final-Fantasy material or speeches (especially religious) [direct anti-Final-Fantasy material that is religious may kill him], anyone who does not condone Final Fantasy, old school purism, opposition to the idea of enhanced remakes, PSG soundfonts (like the NES, Gameboy, and Game Gear soundfonts), Asian food, pickles and pickle relish, potato salad, cabbage, squash, lasagne, spaghetti, pasta, fettuccine, ravioli, mustard greens, clam chowder, sardines, tuna, Miracle Whip, mayonnaise, potato salad, salad dressing, sardines, onions in meat, gravy, clam chowder, soup, cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, pineapple or any beverage mixed with it, peach beverages, peach ice cream, peach cobbler, peach pies, apple pies, apricots, whipped cream, eating at Asian restaurants or Applebee's, meanness, being mean to anyone, anger, being accused of a crime, Watch Tower society, the book "Learn from the Great Teacher", Christian denomations that impose restrictions on electronic games (such as [[Jehovah's Witnesses]]; he is afraid that his parents, brothers and many of his other relatives are part of this restrictive religious organization), Nik Rangel, Almenconi.com, Haircut.net (Hair Enthusiast Hotline), having more than one thread posted by him closed immediately (quick thread closing), practicing demonic arts, thunderstorms, religious repercussion involving entertainment, Joseph Lieberman, local company mergers, job cuts or exportations, recession, terrorism, false or severe punishment, false olitical elections (or cheating into office), oppressive regimes and their dictators, and treason against his country, shaven head or crewcut women, having his girlfriend wait past 21 to marry him, and especially his worst enemy Marcella Terez Whitmore.

There are hundreds of reasons why he has been antifemale. The biggest reasons are and reverse sexism, such as gender gaps favoring the female sex and videos of women abusing men. Reverse sexism is the act of defiling a mind to cause a person, especially a male, to be prejudiced against members of the opposite sex.

[[Grand Theft Auto]] is his least favorite game franchise, but he says that his friends may have these games if they want to. If they like it, he says that is great for them. For he is strongly opposed to restriction of electronic games, and he is a very nice person.  Games do not equal death. He accepts anyone to have any game they want. He wants gamers to stop being blinded by religious and moral snobbery, and enjoy the those games to their hearts' contents. He encourages gamers to love the Final Fantasy series.

Zanarukando's worst enemy is Marcella Terez Whitmore, better known as Tee, was once the girl he loved when he was in high school. She is slightly younger than he is. He first knew her at the age of 4. Zanarukando fell in love with her in 1996. Zanarukando and Whitmore were formerly best friends. When they were in high school, they used to exchange telephone calls, especially at night. She preferred that we would talk in person. Sadly, their relationship died cold on March 30, 1999, because Tee was excommunicated from Zanaurkando's former religious organization [[Jehovah's Witnesses]]. However, because of the height differences between her and his sister-in-law, Zanarukando got over his disappointment about her excommunication. Tee is the personification of his dislikes. She recently gained a lot of weight. Tee's cousin Nate, a very good friend of his, is a college football player for the [[University of South Carolina]]. He made up for a season after he graduated from the University of South Carolina, because he was redshirted on his freshman year. ["Redshirted" means that the sports team member does not get to play for the season.] He is a future NFL player. He is a coach at the high school Zanarukando attended.

Tedius Zanarukando does not believe in relationship of any kind, including divine, familial, and romantic relationship.  The name of Tedius Zanarukando was adopted in order for him to separate himself from his Jehovah's-Witness family.

At Wikipedia, Tedius Zanarukando is responsible for adding detail to articles, for doing articles related to video games, music, motion pictures, and television.  He is active in the English and Latin language editions of Wikipedia.In Hebrew, astrology was called ''hokmat ha-nissayon'', "the wisdom of prognostication", in distinction to ''hokmat ha-?izzayon'' (wisdom of star-seeing, or [[astronomy]]). While not a [[Jewish]] practice or teaching as such, astrology made its way into the Jewish community, and became especially predominant in some books of [[Kabbalah]].

==In the Bible==
[[Astrology]] is not specifically mentioned in the [[Torah]], the five books of Moses. There are two commandments which have been used by some authorities as a basis to forbid the practice.

:You shall not practice divination or soothsaying" (Leviticus 19:26, New JPS)

:When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to imitate the abhorrent practices of the nations. Let no one be found among you who...is an auger, a soothsayer, a diviner, a sorceror, one casts spells.....For anyone who does these things is abhorrent to the LORD..." (Deuteronomy 18:9-12, New JPS)

These commandments are understood by some rabbinic authorities as forbidding astrology, while others limit these mitzvot to other forms of soothsaying, and thus view astrology as permissible.

In the [[Tanakh|Hebrew Bible]] the [[prophet]]s scoffed at "star-gazers" (''hoverei ha-shamayim'') in [[Isaiah|Book of Isaiah]] 47:13; [[Jeremiah|Book of Jeremiah]] 10:2.) Astrologers from [[Babylon]] were called ''kasdim'' (Chaldeans) in the [[Book of Daniel]]. In rabbinic literature, the term ''Chaldeans'' later was often used as a synonym with those who practiced astrology.

Some historians hold that astrology slowly made its way into the Jewish community through [[syncretism]] with ancient [[Hellenism|Hellenistic culture]]. The [[Sibylline oracles]] praise the Jewish nation because it "does not meditate on the prophecies of the fortune-tellers, magicians, and conjurers, nor practice Astrology, nor seek the oracles of the Chaldeans in the stars" (iii. 227); although the author of the ''Encyclopedia Judaica'' article on astrology holds that this view is mistaken.

The early historian [[Josephus]] censures the people for ignoring what he thought were signs foreshadowing the destruction of the [[Temple in Jerusalem]] ("B. J." vi. 5, § 3).  There were apparently no Jewish astrologers either in the land of Israel or in the Jewish community of Babylonia.

== Rabbinic rejection of astrology ==
In early classical rabbinic works written in the land of Israel ([[Jerusalem Talmud]] and Palestinian [[midrash]] compilations) astrologers are known as ''astrologos'' and ''astrologiyya''. In early classical rabbinic works written in Babylon, astrologers were called ''kaldiyyim'', ''kalda'ei'', and ''iztagninin''.

The Babylonian [[Talmud]] (BT), in Sanhedrin 65, suggests that this means that Jews may not consult an astrologer. Another tractate, BT Pesachim 113b, clearly says that Jews may not consult astrologers. 

Samuel of Babylonia (circa 250 CE) is the only sage in the Talmud who seriously studied astrology, yet he held that it was not compatible with Judaism. Quoting Deuteronmy 30:12, "The Law is not in the Heavens", he is reputed to have taught that "Torah can not go together with the art that studies the heavens" (Midrash Deuteronomy Rabbah 8:6). 

A similar remark is made by the Babylonian sage Jose of Hu?al: "We are not permitted to appeal to the Chaldeans, for it is written (Deut. 18:13), 'You shall be perfect with the Lord your God'" (BT Pesachim 113b). 

R. Johanan, the Palestinian amora, says "there is no ''mazal'' ("luck", literally "planet" or "constellation") for Israel, but only for the nations which recognize the validity of astrology." This opinion is shared by Rav (BT Shabbat 156a).

[[Rabbinic literature]] records that [[Rabbi Akiva]] contends against astrological beliefs, e.g., Sifre, Deut. 171; Sifra, Kedoshim, vi.; Sanhedrin 65.

== Rabbinic acceptance of astrology ==
However, other statements in the Talmud and in the [[midrash]] literature show that many Jews had some level of admiration for astrology.

Some hold that the stars generally do control the fate of people and nations, but Abraham and his descendents were elevated by their covenant with God, and thus achieve free will. (Midrash Genesis Rabbah 44:12, Yal., Jer. 285).

A statement in the [[Tosefta]] (Kiddushin 5:17) holds that the blessing bestowed on Abraham is the gift of astrology.

Midrash Ecclesiastes Rabbah states that the rulers of some non-Jewish were experts in astrology, and that King Solomon too had expertise in this realm. (7:23 no. 1).

There is a story in the Talmud according to which [[God]] showed to [[Adam]] all the future generations, including their scribes, scholars, and leaders (BT Avodah Zarah 5a). According to this souce, the biblical Patriach [[Abraham]] bore upon his breast an astrological tablet on which the fate of every man might be read. Thus, kings are said to have congregated before his door in order to seek advice. 

An announcement is found to the effect that it is dangerous to drink water on Wednesday and Friday evenings (Pesachim 112a). Samuel, a physician and astrologer, taught that it was dangerous to bleed a patient on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday, because on the last-mentioned day Mars reigns at the even-numbered hours of the day, when demons have their play. The new moon was likewise regarded as an unfavorable season for bleeding, as were also the third of the month and the day preceding a festival (BT Shabbat 129b).

===Qualified acceptance; partial skepticism===
However, contrary stories are related. It is said that Abraham predicted in these astrological tablets that he would have no second son, but God said unto him, "Away with your astrology; for Israel there is no ''mazal'' ("luck", literally "planet" or "constellation")!" The birth of his second son, the patriarch Isaac, then gives lie to the idea that astrology is valid. (BT Shabbat 156a). Midrash Genesis Rabbah states that Abraham was not an astrologer, but rather a prophet, inasmuch as only those beneath the stars could be subject to their influence; but that Abraham was above them (Genesis Rabbah xliv. 12).

In general, many people quoted in the Talmud believed that in theory astrology had merit as some kind science, but they were skeptical that astrological signs could be interpreted correctly or in a practical fashion. Commenting on astrologers in Sotah 12b, the Talmud says of them that "They gaze and know not at what they gaze at, they ponder and know not what they ponder."

The most popular form of astrological belief was the selection of propitious days. According to this idea, certain periods of time are regarded as lucky or unlucky. Rabbi Akiba contends ''against'' the belief that the year before the jubilee is exceptionally blessed. The belief is also condemned that no business should be begun on the new moon, on Friday, or on Sabbath evening (Sifre, Deut. 171; Sifra, Kedoshim, vi.; Sanh. 65). 

== In the medieval era ==
Many rabbis in the [[Geonim|Geonic]] era (after the close of the Talmud, early medieval period) discussed the varying [[Talmud]]ic and [[midrash]]ic views on [[astrology]]. One [[responsa]] takes a middle view: ''Otzar HaGeonim'' 113, concludes that astrology has some reality, in that the stars give a person certain inclinations; however each person has the ability to overcome their own inclinations, and thus maintains free will.

Astrology was practised by some Jews throughout the [[Middle Ages]], both as a professional art and as a science. Coming from the East, Jews were sometimes looked upon as heirs and successors of the [[Chaldean]]s. For this reason Jews sometimes were regarded by the Occidental world as masters of Astrology. Their supposed power over destiny on occasion filled the multitudes with awe and fear (Bédarride, ''Les Juifs en France,'' pp. 49, 454, note 21; Basnage, ''Histoire des Juifs'', iv. 1212; P. Cassel, ''Juden'', in Ersch and Gruber's "Encyc." pp. 16, 17; 52, note 78; 67, notes 50 and 51; 115, 171, 224).

[[Abraham ibn Ezra]] was a follower of astrology, which he calls "a sublime science." Besides translating Mashallah's ''Questions'' and another work of this author on the eclipse of the moon from the [[Arabic (language)|Arabic]] into [[Hebrew (language)|Hebrew]], he wrote ''Nativity'', ''Sentences of the Constellations'', ''Reshit Hokhmah'' (''Beginning of Wisdom''), ''Book of the World'', a treatise on the ''Planets'', a treatise on the ''Luminaries'', and a [[horoscope]]. He often refers to astrology in his [[Meforshim|Bible commentaries]]. To him heaven with its constellations is "the book of life," in which man's destiny is written, and against which there is recourse to God as "the Almighty," who overrules all these influences. These remarks may be found in his commentary to [[Book of Psalms|Psalms]] 69:29, [[Book of Genesis|Genesis]] 17:9, and to [[Book of Exodus|Exodus]] 6:3, 33:21.)

[[Dunash ibn Tamim]] (850-956 CE, North Africa), who wrote a commentary on the Kabbalistic work ''[[Sefer Yetzirah]]'', wrote a treatise on astronomy which rejected astrology.

Rabbi [[Abraham ben David]] of Posquières, in his critical notes to Maimonides' ''[[Mishneh Torah]]'', ''Teshuvah'', 5:5, asserts the influence of the stars upon destiny, while also contending that by faith in God man may overcome this influence. 

[[Gersonides]] believed that astrology was real, and developed a naturalistic, non-supernatural explanation of how it works. In ''Philosophies of Judaism'', Julius Guttman explains that for Gersonides, astrology was:

<blockquote>founded on the metaphysical doctrine of the dependence of all earthly occurrences upon the heavenly world. The general connection imparted to the prophet by the active intellect is the general order of the astrological constellation. The constellation under which a man is born determines his nature and fate, and constellations as well determine the life span of nations....The active intellect knows the astrological order, from the most general form of the constellations to their last specification, which in turn contains all of the conditions of occurrence of a particular event. Thus, when a prophet deals with the destiny of a particular person or human group, he receives from the active intellect a knowledge of the order of the constellations, and with sufficient precision to enable him to predict itss fate in full detail.....
This astrological determinism has only one limitation. The free will of man could shatter the course of action ordained for him by the stars; prophecy could therefore predict the future on the basis of astrological determination only insofar as the free will of man does not break through the determined course of things.</blockquote>

Gersonides believed astrology to be a science that predicts events according to set laws of nature (albeit, a different set than the ones we are used to.)  He also believed that a person who has perfected his thinking could interact with the laws of nature through the active intellect. Gersonides thus thought of himself as creating a rationalist and non-supernatural theology. In this sense, there is  a similarity between Gersonides and Maimonides.

[[Nahmanides]] wrote a responsa stating that while one may not ask an astrologer for a prediction, astrology itself is real. He states rules that one must ultimately trust in God, and not in any lesser force. As such, he concludes that one is forbidden to ask an astrologer for a prediction, but one may act on the words of an astrologer is advice is freely given. Ultimately he holds that while the stars give a person certain inclinations, people have the ability to overcome their own inclinations, and thus maintains free will. <!--source?-->

[[Maimonides]] answered an inquiry concerning astrology, addressed to him from Marseilles. He responded that man should believe only what can be supported either by rational proof, by the evidence of the senses, or by trustworthy authority. He affirms that he has studied astrology and that it does not deserve to be described as a science. The supposition that the fate of a man could be dependent upon the constellations is ridiculed by him; he argues that such a theory would rob life of purpose and would make man a slave of destiny. <!--source-->

Isaac ben Joseph ibn Pollegar (14th century, Spain) was a Jewish philosopher who wrote ''Ezer ha-Dat'' ("Support of Faith"), and wrote against the validity of astrology.

In the ''[[Tur]]'', an early code of [[halakha|Jewish law]], the author brings forth the views of Nahmanides and Maimonides, and concurs with Nahmanides (''Yoreh Deah'' 179).  A later code of Jewish law, the ''[[Shulkhan Arukh]]'' avoids contention by stressing the common point: One may not consult an astrologer; the act is forbidden. Whether or not its author, [[Yosef Karo]], though that astrology might have some basis in fact is not mentioned in this work (''Yoreh Deah'' 179:2).

== Moshe Chaim Luzzatto ==

In ''[[Derekh Hashem]]'' Section II, chapter 7, [[Rabbi]] [[Moshe Chaim Luzzatto]] discusses the influence of stars on humanity and events on earth.  There he gives two reasons for the existence of stars and planets.  The first is that stars and planets maintain the existence of all physical things on earth, acting as the means by which spiritual forces are transmitted to physical entities.  The second is that events on earth are also initiated through planetary and stellar activity.  Luzzatto states that each earthly phenomenon is assigned to a specific star, which controls it.  Quoting the [[Talmud]]ic dictum in ''[[Nezikin|Sanhedrin]]'' 156a - "for Israel, there is no ''mazal'' ("luck", literally "planet" or "constellation")", he also states that higher powers (i.e. [[God]] or [[angel]]s) may overcome the influences of this system, and that they typically do so for [[Jew]]s.

Luzzatto notes that the laws and rules governing this system of astrological influence are extremely complex, and not easily ascertainable through direct observation; thus astrologers are rarely able to predict the future accurately or clearly.  The accuracy of their predictions is further reduced by the aforementioned propensity of [[Divine providence]] to intervene and override the system.  This, Luzzatto states, explains the use of the word ''me'asher'' ("something") in [[Book of Isaiah|Isaiah 47:13]] ("Now let the astrologers, stargazers and fortunetellers stand up and tell you something about what will come upon you"); in Luzzatto's view, this means they can tell you ''something'' about the future, but not everything.

== Views in the modern era==
Strictures against astrology appear in the official Torah commentary of [[Conservative Judaism]] and on the official website of [[Reform Judaism]], and a number of Conservative and Reform [[rabbi]]s have written against the practice.

Commenting on Deuteronomy 18:9-12, ''Etz Hayim'', the official Torah commentary of Conservative Judaism writes "Hence the use of astrology is prohibited (BT Pesachim 113b)." Similarly, Rabbi Simchah Roth, a Conservative [[Masorti]] rabbi comments negatively on astrology in his "Halakhah Study Group" session. (Halakhah Study Group, Nov. 18 2003, Bet Midrash Virtuali)

Conservative Rabbi Aaron Kriegel writes:<blockquote>However, astrology is by and large nothing more than magic. The Torah is very clear that we are to steer clear of magicians and practioners of "witchcraft." I'm not talking about the David Copperfield type of entertainment; I'm referring to those who believe that their predictions or tricks can have a real influence on the world, and by implication, can force God to give them what they want. The idea that if only we could say the right words or take the right actions, God will give us anything we want is nearly idolatrous. It turns God into nothing more than a tool for us to use when we want something, rather than the majestic creator of the world. (''Ask A Rabbi'', Jewish.Com, Internet responsa database)</blockquote>

On the [[Union for Reform Judaism]] website Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin derides astrology as "a new-age trap" and says:<blockquote>If you visit a Barnes and Noble superstore, you will see what much of American religion has become. There are three bookcases for Judaism; three bookcases for general religion and Christianity; three for general inspiration; two each for Bible, eastern philosophy, and myth; and nine bookcases for New Age. The New Age menu is diverse, including spiritualism, astrology, and psychic phenomena; alchemy, tarot, goddess worship, and Wicca (witchcraft); out-of-body experiences, near-death experiences, and reincarnation: angels, Satanism, and the occult...(''How To Be A Truly Spiritual Jew And Avoid The Pitfalls Of Quick-Fix Religious Consumerism'', Union for Reform Judaism website)</blockquote>

[[Modern Orthodox Judaism|Modern Orthodox]] rabbis have written against the practice as well, some seeing it as forbidden by [[halakha|Jewish law]]. For instance, Rabbi Barry Freundel views astrology as unacceptable, seeing it as unscientific, and thus unacceptable for Jews who live by Torah U-maddah, which is used as a motto by modern Orthodox Jews associated with the [[Rabbinical Council of America]] and the Union of Orthodox Congregations. <!-- citation needed -->

Orthodox Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald writes:<blockquote>The Torah tells us in Deuteronomy 18:9, that when the Jewish people enter the land of Israel, they must not follow the abominable practices of the nations that reside there. It is strictly prohibited to cause a son or a daughter to pass through the fire, to practice divination, astrology, or to visit one who reads omens....to follow these practices is an abomination in G-d's eyes.<br>
It it is quite extraordinary that Maimonides...virtually alone in the middle ages, rejected belief in astrology. In a letter to the rabbis of Southern France he distinguishes between astronomy as a true science and astrology which he deems to be sheer superstition. Many hundreds of years passed until the Western world came to the same conclusion. Maimonides boldly declares that in Judaism a person's fate is determined by G-d alone, not by the stars. (Torah commentary, National Jewish Outreach Program, Parashat Shoftim 5763-2003)</blockquote>

The Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom (Orthodox) Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, writes:<blockquote>Wrestling with men: since the days of Abraham, to be a Jew is to be an iconoclast. We challenge the idols of the age, whatever the idols, whatever the age. Sometimes it meant wrestling with idolatry, superstition, paganism, magic, astrology, primitive beliefs. (''Covenant and Conversation: Thoughts on the Weekly Parsha'', Vayyishlach 5755, Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom)</blockquote>

In contrast, Modern Orthodox Rabbi Nachum Amsel writes:
<blockquote>It seems that most of the authorities believe that astrology has some sort of power, but there is a fine line between believing in this and believing in power other than God, which is not the Jewish view. Thus, one cannot give credence to any power except God nor use astrology on a regular basis to guide one's life.</blockquote> <!-- citation needed -->

Rabbi [[Aryeh Kaplan]], known for his rationalist synthesis of modern scientific thinking and Kabbalah, and creator of a modern translation of ''[[Derekh Hashem]]'', echoes the viewpoint of its author ([[Moshe Chaim Luzzatto]]) on astrology. In his translation of and commentary on ''[[Sefer Yetzirah]]: The Book of Creation'', Rabbi Kaplan writes:

<blockquote>In order to understand the significance of the astrological forces, we must first understand the role of angels in the chain between the Sefitor and the physical world. The Sefirot are in the universe of Atzilut, and below this is Beriyah, the universe of the Throne, which serves to allow the Sefirot to interact with the lower worlds. Between Beriyah and Asiyah is Teyzirah, the world of the angels. ....every one of God's words is actually an angel. When speak of "God's word," we are actually speaking of His interaction with the lower worlds. The force that transverses the spiritual domain is what we call an angel.
<br>The stars also form an important link in God's providence over the physical world. Between God and man, there are many levels of interaction, the lowest being those of the angels and the stars, The Midrash thus teaches, "There is no blade of grass that does not have a constellation (''Mazal'') over it, telling it to grow." As the commentators explain it, God's providence works through the angels, but these angels, in turn, work through the stars and planets.</blockquote>

However, Rabbi Kaplan also writes that "Faith and trust in God are partners, since one who believes in an omniscient, omnipotent and benevolent God must also believe that He will provide for His faithful. Therefore, one should trust in God and not be overly concerned about the future....Therefore, one should not seek to ascertain the future by fortune telling, astrology or other superstitions. Concerning this, The Torah commands us, "You must remain totally faithful to God your Lord" (Deut. 18:13), which some authorities count as a positive commandment." ("The Handbook of Jewish Thought. Vol. 2, Maznaim Publishing. 1992)

* [http://www.aish.com/literacy/concepts/Belief_in_God_.asp Belief in God, by Aryeh Kaplan]

==References==
* Altmann, A. “Astrology,” Encyclopedia Judaica (Jerusalem: Keter, 1973), vol. 3, pp. 788-795
* Amsel, Nachum. ''The Jewish Encyclopedia of Moral and Ethical Issues", Jason Aronson, 1994
* Charlesworth, James H. “Jewish Astrology in the Talmud, the Pseudepigrapha, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Early Palestinian Synagogues,” HTR 70 (1977), 183-200
* Erlanger, Gad. Signs of the Times: the Zodiac in Jewish Tradition (New York, NY: Feldheim, 2001)
* Julius Guttman. ''Philosophies of Judaism'', JPS. 1964
* Kaplan, Aryeh. ''Sefer Yetzirah: The Book of Creation'', Weiser Books, Revised edition (May 1, 1997) ISBN 0877288550
* Langermann, Y. Tzvi. "Maimonides Repudiation of Astrology," in Robert S. Cohen, & Hillel Levine (eds.), Maimonides and the Sciences (Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Press, 2000), pp. 131-157) 
* Pines, Shlomo. "To Behold the Stars and the Heavenly Bodies," Immanuel 20 (1986), pp. 33-37 [also in Shlomo Pines Studies in the History of Jewish Thought (ed. by Warren Zev Harvey and Moshe Idel (Jerusalem: Magnes Press, 1997))
* The Jewish Encyclopedia (1906), Astrology
* “Gersonides on Astrology, Divination, and Dreams,” in Proceedings, Eighth World Congress of Jewish Studies, Division C , World Union of Jewish Studies, Jerusalem, 1982, pp. 47-52. 
* ''Divination, Magic and Healing: A Book of Jewish Folklore'', Jason Aronson)

==External links==
* [http://www.ottmall.com/mj_ht_arch/v13/mj_v13i60.html#CRY Discussions on reconciling various rabbinic views about astrology]
* [http://www.smoe.org/arcana/astrol6.html Research sources for Jewish astrology]
* [http://faculty.washington.edu/snoegel/generaljewishmagic.htm General Jewish Magic Bibliography]