Book Review: Abraham IBN Ezra on Elections, Abraham Ibn Ezra on Elections, Interrogations, and Medical Astrology: A Parallel Hebrew—English Critical Edition of the Book of Elections, the Book of Interrogations and the Book of the Luminaries, Abraham Ibn Ezra's Astrological Writings, Études sur le Judaïsme Médiéval

Abstract

ABRAHAM IBN EZRA ON ELECTIONS Abraham lbn Ezra on Elections, Interrogations, and Medical Astrology: A Parallel Hebrew-English Critical Edition of the Book of Elections, the Book of Interrogations and the Book of the Luminaries. Shlomo SeIa Abraham lbn Ezra's Astrological Writings, iii; Etudes sur le Judaisme Medieval, 1; Brill, Leiden, 201 1). Pp. xii + 657. $257. ISBN 978-90-04-21220-6.This is the third volume in the series of lbn Ezra's astrological treatises, composed in the twelfth century (a review of the first two volumes appeared in this journal, xlii (201 1), 120-1). Once again we are given a critical edition of the Hebrew texts, together with a reliable English translation and valuable notes: the Book of elections (3 versions), the Book of interrogations (3 versions), and the Book of the luminaries. The astrological system of elections concerns finding the best time for beginning some activity; interrogations concern responses by an astrologer to questions related to daily life; and the Book of the luminaries concerns astrological doctrines related to critical days in the course of a disease. In all cases lbn Ezra depended on Arabic sources, which are identified by the editor. The appendices include a list of the manuscripts consulted, a concordance of topics discussed in the various treatises, a list of authorities and sources mentioned in the three versions of the Book of elections and in the Book of the luminaries. In addition to a bibliography, there is a glossary of technical terms arranged in English alphabetical order, followed by a Hebrew index to the glosssary, an index of technical terms in English alphabetical order (with references to the notes), and a general index.To get the flavour of Ibn Ezra's approach to astrology, here is one passage from the Book of the luminaries:The great physicians investigated why the crises of diseases take place on the seventh, fourteenth, twentieth or twenty-first, and twenty-seventh or twentyeighth day [after the onset of the disease]. The only explanation they could find involved the Moon, as long as the disease lasts for up to one month and passes; but if it does not pass they look at the Sun, which is above the Moon, as I shall explain (pp. 455-7).Sela's note (pp. 493-94) refers to the corresponding passages in Galen's On critical days as well as to the Arabic translation of Galen's work by Hunain Ibn Ishaq (d. 873).John North (d. 2008), the eminent historian of astronomy, used to say that if you seek a clear exposition of any astrological doctrine, the best place to look is in alBiruni's Book of astrology, ed. and transi, by R. R. Wright (London, 1934). Among the virtues ofthat book are diagrams and tables: it is to be hoped that in a final volume SeIa will move away from notes tied to specific passages and give us an overview of Ibn Ezra's astrological doctrines in a more systematic way than that presented by the twelfth-century author himself. …