Description
Book SynopsisThis volume offers the first critical edition of the Hebrew text, with English translation and commentary, of seven astrological treatises by Abraham Ibn Ezra: the Book of Elections (3 versions); the Book of Interrogations (3 versions); and the Book of the Luminaries. This volume, then, covers the astrological doctrine of elections, which is concerned with finding the best time to begin a particular activity; the doctrine of interrogations, designed to allow astrologers to reply to questions related to daily life; and the astrological theory behind the doctrine of the critical days, when marked changes take place in the symptoms of a disease. These three systems of astrology were combined in a single volume because Ibn Ezra considers them to be closely interrelated. "Despite these quibbles, Shlomo Sela is to be congratulated for making Ibn Ezra’s astrological treatises available in a modern edition of very high quality." Bernard Goldstein, University of Pittsburgh
Trade Review"Shlomo Sela is to be congratulated for making Ibn Ezra’s astrological treatises available in a modern edition of very high quality." Bernard Goldstein, University of Pittsburgh "[W]hat Sela has done here and is doing in this series is simply invaluable. Not only does he open up the astrological thought of Ibn Ezra himself, but he provides a doorway to the Arabic astrological tradition. Explaining technical terms, giving their history and the context of their transmission, he is contributing greatly not only to scholars of medieval Hebrew thought but to anyone interested in making sense of the basic concepts and practices of medieval astrology." Maud Kozodoy. H-Judaic, H-Net Reviews. August, 2012.
