Thursday, October 28, 2010

Leaving Eretz Yisrael, Going to Mars






Anonymous said...

Are the astrological forces unique to Mars the operating factor in this Torah or is there an associated reason, such as Mars' position?

Shabbat shalom


Ari S. said...

Although the position of Mars at Yitzchak's birth could be what Rav Eibshitz is referring to, most probably he is talking about the day of the week that Yitzchak was born. (See Ibn Ezra Reishis Chachma) Each day of the week (and each night) is considered under the influence of a different planet, Sunday is sun, Monday is moon, Tuesday is Mars, Wednesday is Mercury, Thursday is Jupiter, Friday is Venus, and Shabbos is Saturn. (See Gemara and Rashi Shabbos 15a) Based on this the Gemara mentions that Avraham's was Jupiter. I am not familiar with a source from that time period mentioning Yitzchak's, so I can't say for sure that that is what Rav Eibshitz is referencing.

Ari S. said...

Sorry for the typo, I meant Shabbos 156a