Jewish belief in the punishment for seeking fortune tellers

[Ben_Sinner]

Hi, so I was reading an article about horroscopes and the catholic church’s condemnation of them. I read some of the comments below the article and one person said this:

There is a mystical Jewish idea that those who seek the advice of astrologers are then bound to live out the prediction. It’s their punishment. In other words, having demanded to be ruled by the stars, God grants them their desire. This alone should give people pause when they want to know what their “stars” hold for them.

aboutcatholics.com/beliefs/can-catholics-believe-in-horoscopes/#comment-6204

Is that true that the Jews teach that? That if someone consults a horroscope that means it WILL happen because God will force it as a punishment?

What if the fortune says the person will do something evil? Will God still set it up to have the person do something evil?

Does this “obligation” end after one repents of seeking the fortune teller followed by trusting in God again?

 

[meltzerboy]

Hi, so I was reading an article about horroscopes and the catholic church’s condemnation of them. I read some of the comments below the article and one person said this:

There is a mystical Jewish idea that those who seek the advice of astrologers are then bound to live out the prediction. It’s their punishment. In other words, having demanded to be ruled by the stars, God grants them their desire. This alone should give people pause when they want to know what their “stars” hold for them.

aboutcatholics.com/beliefs/can-catholics-believe-in-horoscopes/#comment-6204

Is that true that the Jews teach that? That if someone consults a horroscope that means it WILL happen because God will force it as a punishment?

What if the fortune says the person will do something evil? Will God still set it up to have the person do something evil?

Does this “obligation” end after one repents of seeking the fortune teller followed by trusting in God again?

In general, Judaism is opposed to astrology since it places trust in something other than G-d and, while not mentioned specifically, it fits in the category of prohibitive practices mentioned in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. However, as is often the case, there are certain differences of opinion about astrology within the Orthodox Jewish community. On this particular issue, it is interesting that both Conservative Judaism and Reform Judaism take a definite stand against the practice of astrology and the use of horoscopes, whereas the more Orthodox, Torah Judaism is not so firmly opposed so long as it is regarded as an influence rather than a determinant in mankind’s behavior and so long as it does not exclude the supreme power of G-d’s Will. For these Orthodox Jews, astrology is considered apart from occult practices, which are without question outlawed. In particular, the mystical Kabbalah makes note of astrological signs and their influence on human behavior, and this book is studied by some Orthodox Jews, especially those who are Hasidic. Nonetheless, the Kabbalah is not the equivalent and does not carry the weight of the Torah Law or the Talmud Law. The latter also discusses the issue of astrology but, for the most part, does not advocate its practice.

 

[Beryllos]

… I read some of the comments below the article and one person said this …

It just goes to show that the comments below an article can be rubbish. In this instance, the commenter expressed a belief every bit as superstitious as the belief in horoscopes he was trying to condemn. Ironically, his view seems to affirm the power of horoscopes. It is false. Trust in God’s power, and his love.