The Fourth Day of Creation: Placing Sun, Moon, and Zodiacs in their Position in the Sky
On the fourth day, Hashem placed the sun, moon, and stars in the sky. The sun and moon were originally equal in size.
"It is impossible for two kings to share one crown!" the moon complained to Hashem. Hashem then decided to diminish it in size. Since the moon willingly accepted Hashem's verdict and did not complain, Hashem added the stars to the nightly landscape in order to add to the light of the moon. (Chullin 60b)
The Midrash illustrates an important point. It tells us that those who seek honor, as did the moon, ultimately stand to lose, while those who choose to bear an insult silently, like the sun, are rewarded in the long run. (Talmud Torah)
Hashem is the wisest of the wise. To Him are attributed greatness, strength, wisdom, and glory. But people fail to realize it. Therefore, Hashem hung orbs in the sky whose light, energy, and lifegiving qualities cannot failt o astonish us. Hashem's message to us through His luminaries is clear, "Whoever can create anything similar may compare himself to Me!" Thus said Yeshayahu, "Lift your eyes on high, and behold Who has created these!" (40:26)
Hashem did not instruct the planets to shine only for the deserving and to withhold their light from the wicked. The Heavenly bodies are Hashem's gift to the world. They give light to all, wicked and righteous alike.
Lunar Calendar
The moon completes its cycle in 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 3 seconds (793 chalakim). (Yad, Yesodei HaTorah 3, Kiddush HaChodesh 6) This is precisely the same every month.
The lunar year consists of twelve months. It contains 354 days, 8 hourse, 48 minutes, and 40 seconds (876 chalakim). A leap year contains thirteen months, and it consists of 383 days, 21 hours, 32 minutes, and 43 seconds (589 chalakim).
In Hebrew chronometry, the hour is divided into 1080 chalakim. This number was chosen because it is divisible by two, three, four, five and ten.
Through calculating the phases of the moon, one can determine the times of holidays and seasons.
The twelve Hebrew months are:
Nissan
Iyar
Sivan
Tammuz
Av
Elul
Tishrei
Cheshvan (or Mar-cheshvan)
Kislev
Tevet
Shevat
Adar
Tishrei always has 30 days, while Tevet always has 29. A month with 30 days is called maleh (complete), while one with only 29 is called chasar (deficient).
After Tevet, the months alternate. Tevet has 29 days, Shevat 30, Adar 29, Nissan 30, Iyar 29, Sivan 30, Tammuz 29, Av 30, Elul 29.
The two remaining montsh, Cheshvan and Kislev, are not always the same. In some years, both of these months have 30 days; in some, both have 29, and in others Cheshvan has 29 and Kislev has 30.
The reason why some months have 29 days and others 30 is because the lunar month is approximately 29 1/2 days long. It is impossible, however, to set Rosh Chodesh (the New Moon) in the middle of a day, making half the day belong to the previous month and half to the next. The Torah speaks of "a month of days" (Bamidbar 11:20). This teaches that a month cannot consist of hours, but only of complete days. (Megilla 5a)
It is for this reason that we sometimes make a lunar month 29 days long, even though some hours are left out. Sometimes we make it 30 days, even though some hours are added, because only full days are counted, not hours.
If the lunar month were precisely 29 1/2 days, then we would alternate the months, letting one be 30 days and the next 29, throughout the year. But actually, the month is approximately 44 minutes longer than 29 1/2 days. After a number of months, this difference would add up to hours and days. Since the length of the months must be adjusted to make up for this difference, all years are not the same. In some years, the majority of the months have 29 days; while in some, more have 30.
The Seven Cycles
There are seven astronomical bodies, and each has it particular cycle. This is their order (Yad, Yesodei HaTorah 3; Rabbi Shlomo ibn Gabriel; Yafeh Toar p. 308; Shevilei Emunah 2):
- Moon - the first sphere, closest to the earth. It shines with reflected light.
- Mercury. In Hebrew it is called Kochav, which literally means "star." Some say this is because it rules over the destiny of all the stars. (Yad, loc. cit.)
- Venus (Nogah)
- Sun, which makes a complete cycle every year.
- Mars (Ma'adim)
- Jupiter (Tzedek)
- Saturn (Shabatai)
The Sun
During the summer months the sun is in the north, where it warms the earth. It is for this reason that the summer days are long. (Rabbi Shlomo ibn Gabriel, Keter Malchut) There are some places [in the polar regions] where the day lasts for six months, and the sun never sets.
In the winter months the sun is in the south, allowing the earth to cool. Winter days are therefore short. In some places, the night lasts for six months, while other places only have one or two hours of daylight during the winter. (Ibid.; Zohar Chadash 15)
From the first light of dawn until sunrise, an average person can walk five miles. From sundown until the stars become visible one can also walk five miles. According to Rabbi Yehudah, one can walk only four miles during this interval. (Pesachim) [A person walks a mile in approximately 18 minutes.]
There was a difference of opinion among ancient scholars regarding the length of the solar year. The Jewish sages maintained that the year was 365 1/4 days long; this is, 365 days and six hours. The solar year is thus longer than the lunar year by 10 days, 22 hours, 11 minutes, and 20 seconds (204 chalakim)
Each year has four seasons:
- Nissan (spring)
- Tammuz (summer)
- Tishrei (autumn)
- Tevet (winter)
The length of each of these seasons is 90 days, 7 1/2 hours. (Ibid.)
Astrological Influences
The planets exert various astrological influences. (Ibid.; Tikkunei Zohar, p. 59)
- Saturn influences murder, poverty, the destruction of cities and kingdoms, sickness and death.
- Jupiter influences life, peace, wealth, dominance and status.
- Mars influences war and strife, causing controversy between people. It also influences fire, water, the destruction of homes, famine, heat waves and storms.
- The sun influences wisdom, science, understanding, craftsmanship and penmanship. It makes all kinds of flowers, trees and plants grow from the ground.
- Venus influences grace, kindness, desire and love. It also influences fruitfulness, for humans, animals and plants.
- Mercury influences the light that separates day from night. It also exerts a beneficial influence for people who travel from place to place for business.
- The moon influences the keys of heaven and earth.
Even thought these astronomical bodies exert some influence, they cannot bring about good and evil unless G-d wills it. They must always follow His decree.
In the evening, a heavenly voice (Bat Kol) decrees, "Everyone prepare, for the domain of night is approaching." At daybreak, a similar decree is issued. (Zohar, Vayachel)
Since other stars and planets are much larger than the moon, one might wonder why the moon is called one of the "two great lights." The moon is not called "great" because of its size, but because of its brightness. Since the moon is closest to the earth, it shines much brighter than the other stars and planets. (Ibn Ezra)
Paralleling the seven astronomical bodies that shine in the sky, there are seven bright metals [which shine earth] (Shevilei Emunah 2:3):
- silver
- quicksilver (mercury)
- copper
- gold
- iron
- lead
- tin
Each metal is influenced by its particular planet. Silver is influenced by the moon, quicksilver by Mercury, copper by Venus, gold by the sun, iron by Jupiter, lead by Saturn, and tin by Mars. The innumerable other substances that are found in the earth are paralleled by the countless other stars that are seen in the sky.
There is an eighth sphere containing the twelve signs of the mazalot (zodiac). Each of these signs rules over one of the twelve month sof the year. (Yad, Kiddush Hachodesh 11:9)
Signs of the Zodiac
Month | Sign | Hebrew Name
Nissan | Aries | Teleh - The Ram
Iyar | Taurus | Shor - The Bull
Sivan | Gemini | Teumim - The Twins
Tammuz | Cancer | Sartan - The Crab
Av | Leo | Ari - The Lion
Elul | Virgo | Betulah - The Virgin
Tishrei | Libra | Maznayim - The Scales
Cheshvan | Scorpio | Akrav - The Scorpion
Kislev | Sagittarius | Keshet - The Archer
Tevet | Capricorn | Gedi - The Goat
Shevat | Aquarius | Deli - The Water Drawer
Adar | Pisces | The Fish
These constellations are divided into four groups according to the four seasons. They influence the four elements: fire, air, water and earth. (Abarbanel 16d)
According to one opinion, Aries, Sagittarius and Leo are the constellations of fire; Gemini, Aquarius and Libra are the constellations of air; Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are the constellation of water; and Taurus, Capricorn and Virgo are the constellations of earth.
These constellations are called mazalot (מַזׇלוׄת) in Hebrew, because they revolve quickly around the sun and moon. The word mazal (מַזׇל) comes from the root azal (אזל), meaning to move. A cognate word is the Turkish minzil, a letter carrier. (Yad, Yesodei HaTorah 3:6, 7)
The sun takes an entire year to make a complete 360 degree circuit of the zodiac. The moon moves faster, passing through twelve degrees each day, and completing the circuit of the zodiac every month. (Yafeh Toar, p. 68) The constellations themselves travel extremely slowly. The distance covered by the sun and moon in a single day takes them at least seventy years. (Yad, loc. cit. Cf. Shalshelet HaKabbalah)
The constellations are given their various names because certain stars are fixed in groups which assume the shapes of the things after which they are named.
Under the seven firmaments are the souls of the "seventy nations of the world." (Yalkut Reuveni) Thus, there are ten nations under each of the firmaments. All of these are ruled by the twelve signs of the zodiac. In each firmament there are guardian angels overseeing each nation.
Beneath the sphere of the moon, which is the closest of all, there is a firmament which contains the souls of the shedim (demons) and other malevolent spirits. The bodies of these entities are created from the lowest of the seven habitations discussed earlier.
The twelve signs of the zodiac, with the seven spheres, rule over the seven days of the week. This is their order (Rabbi Yosef ben Avraham ibn Cargitol, Shaarei Tzedek 3):
Sunday - Leo. Overseeing it is the sun, whose angel is Rafa'el.
Monday - Cancer. Overseeing it is the moon, whose angel is Gavri'el.
Tuesday - Aries and Scorpio. Overseeing them is Mars, whose angel is Sama'el.
Wednesday - Gemini and Virgo. Overseeing them is Mercury, whose angel is Micha'el.
Thursday - Sagittarius and Pisces. Overseeing them is Jupiter (Tzedek), whose angel is Tzidki'el.
Friday - Taurus and Libra. Overseeing them is Venus, whose angel is Anel.
Shabbat - Capricorn and Aquarius. Overseeing them is Saturn, whose angel is Kaptzi'el.
All the stars are in this eighth sphere. Each star completes a cycle around this sphere in 24,000 years. (Shevilei Emunah 2) Some say that this period is 36,000 years. (Rabbi Shlomo ibn Gabriel, Keter Malchut; Tosefot, Pesachim 118)
There are some stars that are smaller than the earth, and they are invisible to the unaided eye. Other stars are much larger than the sun.
There are 1022 visible stars in the sky. The sum is the numerical value of ברית קודש (Brit Kodesh) which means "Holy Covenant." (Cf. Shalshelet HaKabbalah; Chavat Yair 219)
This teaches that a person who sanctifies himself and does not defile the covenanat of circumcision is not under the influence of the stars. Even though his astrological signs would tend to make him poor or childless, or cause him to lose his children, his destiny is changed through the merit of keeping the covenant and not defiling it through sexual misdeeds.
Each star is counted when it comes out at night, and again when it goes in by day. Every star has its place as set by G-d's will when He calls it by name.
Not all the stars have the same color. Some are white, some red, some other colors. (Abarbanel 16d) The planets do not have any light of their own, but merely reflect the light of the sun. Each star has an angel ruling over it. (Yafeh Toar, Vayishlach)
The Torah says that G-d created "the large light to rule the day, and the small light to rule the night - and the stars." The stars are visible by night only because G-d reduced the size of the moon after it complained. Then, in order to soothe its feelings, G-d surrounded the moon with many stars. (Chullin 60b)
Other astronomical phenomena that are occasionally seen include shoot stars and comets. When these are seen, the following blessing is said: (Bachya)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יהוה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, עֹשֶׂה מַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית
Baruch atah HASHEM Elokeinu Melech ha'olam oseh ma'aseh v'reishit
Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the Universe, Maker of the work of creation.
There is also a ninth sphere, and this is the largest of all, encompassing all the other eight. (Shevilei Emunah) Aristotle said that it is impossible to imagine the size of this sphere, since is beyond our ken. (Yad, Yesodei HaTorah 3) In comparison, the entire physical world with all its spheres is like a mustard seed in the ocean.
All the spheres appear to rotate from west to east. The ninth sphere, on the other hand, rotates from east to west. (Yafeh Toar, p. 68)
Each sphere has it own angel, overseeing its orbit. (Yafeh Toar, Vayishlach; Rabbi Shmuel ben Yaakov Hagiz, Mevakesh HaShem - Venice 1597) Some say that there is an angel that oversees the highest sphere, and this causes all the others to function.
When a person contemplates the greatness of the universe, he learns to fear G-d and thus becomes stronger in his commitment to Judaism. He realizes how important it is to keep the Torah. He sees how the earth is so much smaller than many other astronomical bodies; yet it produces so may beautiful and useful things, such as grain, vegetables, fruit, perfumes, medicines and spices. Only King Shlomo and no other human being has understood even a thousandth of all the uses that an be put to plants. There is also a multitude of animals, both useful and beautiful. The sea, too, contains coutless creatures, including innumerable species of fish.
Early in the morning, one should meditate on G-d's wonders, and he will realize that there is nothing like them. He will then stand in awe before G-d and have a great desire to praise Him constantly. He will be like one who thirsts for water, yearning to bask in the Light of Lilfe, saying, "When will I be worthy to perceive the Master of the universe, Who created all this?"
One might ask why it is necessary to know about these astronomical bodies. There are two important benefits that can be derived from such knowledge:
- First, since we cannot know anything about G-d Himself, we can only recognize Him through His works and wonders. From a study of astronomy, we preceive His might. (Yad, Yesodei HaTorah 4:12)
- Second thing we learn is how careful one must be to have pity and give charity. The rich are called the "great light," while the poor are the "small light." Just as the moon, which has no light of its own, receives light from the sun, so must the rich allow the poor to benefit from them. We must emulate the stars and angels who always help one another, as we say each day in the Targum to Yeshayahu 6:3 in the prayer U'Bha LeTziyon," And they receive from one another." This can lead to true reverence. (Tikunei Zohar)
The spheres consist of fire and water. The same is true of the angels, which are half fire and half water. (Yerushalmi, Rosh Hashanah) Even though fire and water cannot normally coexist, G-d's word is sufficient to make peace between them. It is thus written, "He makes peace in His heights" (Iyov 25:2).
The world has four directions:
- East - comes light.
- West - comes clouds, mists, cold, rain and heat.
- North - shedim (demons) and noxious spirits. (Pirkei Rabbi Eliezer)
- South - good dew.
Three sides of the world are closed with continents, but the north is open. This is an indication of G-d's greatness. If any person says that he is a god because of his wealth or power - and there were actually people who made such claims, as we find in the Nevi'im (Prophets) - we say of him, "If your claim is true, then complete the north."
Another benefit we derive from knowing astronomy is that when a person mediates on these things, he begins to realize just how little man can know. He becomes filled with humility and contrition, realizing how unimportant he is in the general scheme. (Ibid.; Yad)
This quality was best attained by Moshe, who said, "We are what, that you complain against us" (Shemot 16:7). The Torah lauds Moshe as having reached the ultimate level of humility, saying, "The man Moshe was very humble, more than any man on the face of the earth" (Bamidbar 12:3). The Torah does not emphasize Moshe's wisdom, but his humility.
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Source: Midrash Says; Me'am Lo'ez
