"Chochmas HaKochavim" – Makor Chaim, Mantua 1559 – First Edition
Makor Chaim, elucidations on the commentary of the Ibn Ezra on the Torah, authored by Rav Shmuel Tzartzara (Rav Shmuel Ibn Sana), one of the great Chachmei Sefarad, printed in Mantua, 1559 – First Edition.
The author opens with a poetic introduction, praising the sefer as containing
“all the secrets of Bereishis.” The sefer presents the author’s unique explanations and insights, either his own chiddushim or those he received from earlier Chachmei Sefarad.
On page 123, the author strongly critiques those who believe in the
doctrine of gilgul (which was the prevailing view among the leading Sefardi Rabbanim of that era).
On the title page, there is an Italian ownership inscription: "I have acquired it with full payment from… Ben Tzion Kachami [?], may he be blessed with life, Moshe Kohen Rash"a [?]…"
Chochmas HaKochavim in Jewish Thought
The illustrious author interprets profound passages in Tanach in light of astrological influences, asserting that the nevuah of the prophets is impacted by the positioning of the celestial bodies. He explains Bilam’s curse as a deliberation on whether to direct it towards the planet Mars or Saturn. The destruction of the Mabul, he expounds, was a result of the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter at the end of the Virgo constellation, based on the words of Chazal, “At the time when HaKadosh Baruch Hu sought to bring the Mabul upon the world, He took two stars from Kimah and struck them against each other…”
