Planets In Ancient Hebrew Literature

Abstract

This chapter talks about planets that are latecomers in Hebrew literature. The assumption that in the texts the word mazzal actually designates the in a technical sense rather than sign of the zodiac or any other astral constellation is corroborated by a comparison with the famous discussion about Israel's subordination to the mazzal . In any event, it is impossible to deduce from this that the author of the book held the opinion that the planets are to be located in the first heaven. Therefore, it is with special pleasure that this study is dedicated to the scholar of ancient piyyut literature, who has done more than anybody else to draw attention to the necessity to discuss Hebrew literature within the broader context of Jewish and non-Jewish cultures of late antiquity. Keywords: astral constellation; Hebrew literature; Israel; Jewish; mazzal ; piyyut literature; planets; ruling planet