Count your lucky stars

Millennials have grown up in the modern world of the 21st century. Confident, ambitious, achievement-oriented are a few of the adjectives given to this age demographic. This generation is generally marked by elevated familiarity with the internet, mobile devices, and social media.

Ironically, in 2019, New Yorker magazine ran an article titled, “Astrology in the age of uncertainty”. It focused on Millennials, who see no contradiction between using astrology and believing in science, and are now getting hooked on a belief system that’s as old as the stars.

Some have associated this renewed interest in astrology to the decline of organised religion and the creation of a large spiritual void in the world. In times of crisis, people search for something to believe in.

Judaism has always believed in astrology, the study of the positions of the celestial beings. The wish and blessing, “mazaltov”, indicates belief in the constellations. You’re not simply wishing someone “good luck”, as we frequently translate this term. The real translation is, “May this event take place under a good constellation.” Similarly, when we refer to someone as being a “schlimazel”, it’s really the Yiddish word for someone who had the misfortune of a bad constellation.

However, Jewish tradition also teaches, “ein mazel l’Yisroel” – we need not be subject to the signs of the zodiac. It may be helpful to synchronise an event with a good constellation, but the event can be equally successful nonetheless. Being born in a particular month with a specific constellation may define your character, but it won’t limit who you are and who you can become.

This idea is illustrated in this week’s Torah portion, in which G-d tells Sarai and Avram, “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great.” But as the years pass, the Bible records Avram’s cry to G-d that he’s childless. There will be no one to carry on his name and beliefs. G-d then takes Avram outside and says, “Look now toward at the heaven and count the stars. If you will be able to count them, so shall your seed be.”

Simply speaking, G-d is telling Avram, “Don’t worry, you’ll have as many children as there are stars.” However, there’s a deeper explanation. G-d was taking Avram out of the limitations of astrology. Some say, he counted the stars from on top, not from below. “Avram and Sarai cannot pro-create,” said G-d, “but I will change your name, and Avraham and Sarah will have children.” Because, ultimately, we’re greater than the zodiac.

Astrology may be coming back into fashion in a generation that’s searching for meaning. However, it’s important for us to remember the lesson G-d taught our forefathers. We should reach for the stars, but always remember that we’re greater than them too.