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A nation cannot claim to welcome Jews while criminalising one of the oldest and most fundamental commandments of Judaism

Hebrew Synagogue Welcomes UK Court Clarity on Biologically Specific Facilities Hebrew Synagogue has today confirmed its support for the legal clarification provided by the United Kingdom Supreme Court and subsequent Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance regarding the use of single-sex facilities based upon biological sex under the Equality Act 2010. The organisation confirmed that this position will apply across all facilities operated by Hebrew Synagogue throughout the United...

by Ram ben Ze’ev Anger Without Torah Is Emptiness — A Community Adrift In recent weeks and months, Jews across the United Kingdom—and indeed across Europe and beyond—have found themselves confronting a steady and deeply unsettling rise in open hostility. Knife attacks in our streets, assaults on visibly Jewish individuals, threats against synagogues and schools, and the quiet, relentless drumbeat of intimidation have all become part of daily awareness. These are no longer isolated incidents;...

by Ram ben Ze'ev The Problem with the Term “Orthodox” in Judaism The term “Orthodox,” so commonly used today to describe traditional Jews, is not a Hebrew word and does not originate from Jewish sources. Rather, it comes from the Ancient Greek word orthodoxos , meaning “correct belief” or “right opinion.” The word itself is formed from two Greek roots: orthos , meaning “straight,” “right,” or “true,” and doxa , meaning “opinion,” “belief,” or “praise.” From a Jewish standpoint, this already...

by Ram ben Ze'ev The Covenant Is Everything Judaism is often misunderstood as a system of strict rules, a long list of obligations that appear rigid or unforgiving. From the outside, it may seem as though the relationship between the Jewish people and G-D is “all or nothing.” Yet this phrase, when properly understood, reveals something far more beautiful. Judaism is not merely a list of commandments; it is a framework for a living relationship with G-D and with the people around us. It...

by Ram ben Ze’ev Mazel Is Not Luck: A Call to Reject Modern Idolatry On 7 November 2024, I wrote about “ Mazel, Divine Flow, and Trust in HaShem .” It is necessary to return to that subject, because the confusion has not diminished. If anything, it has deepened. The phrase “Mazel Tov” is still casually translated as “Good luck,” as though Judaism endorses randomness, cosmic coincidence, or the mechanical alignment of stars. It does not. It never has. Mazel is not luck. Mazel is flow. The...

by Ram ben Ze'ev When Quotes Are Lies: A Modern Habit of Borrowed Authority In recent days, following the publication of my article Putting Words into G-D’s Mouth Is Not Torah , I began asking a simple question about a series of widely shared quotations attributed to long-dead thinkers, writers, and public figures. These quotes are routinely presented as “deep,” “timeless,” and “profound,” and they circulate endlessly across social media, stripped of context and wrapped in borrowed...

by Ram ben Ze'ev The Addiction to Outrage and the Strengthening of Evil We are living in an age where people increasingly feel compelled to involve themselves in events that have no direct bearing on their lives, no capacity for meaningful influence, and no avenue for repair or responsibility. A tragedy occurs on the other side of the world and, within minutes, countless individuals absorb it emotionally, comment upon it, argue about it, repost it, and carry it with them as though it were...

by Ram ben Ze’ev The Judeo-Christian Fiction: Stop Claiming What Is Not Yours In January 2020 I wrote Judeo-Christian Divide to address a growing falsehood: the claim that Judaism and Christianity share a common religious foundation. In the years since, that falsehood has not diminished. It has intensified. Today, ever more voices from foreign belief systems insist on associating themselves with Jews, with Israel, and with Judaism itself, as though repetition might somehow transform...

by Ram ben Ze'ev When Jews Are Told to Be Quiet There is a familiar tactic that surfaces whenever Jews speak plainly in the language of Torah: the warning. It is often dressed up as concern, civility, or social responsibility, but its meaning is unmistakable. If you say this out loud, people will hate you more. This is not a defence of Jews. It is an attempt to manage Jews. When a non-Jew responds to a Torah-based statement by suggesting that Jewish clarity might “lead to antisemitism,” the...

by Ram ben Ze'ev The “80% Stayed in Egypt” Fallacy — How a Midrash Became a Weapon Against Torah In recent years, a claim has circulated widely — often repeated with confidence and moral certainty — that “80% of the Jews stayed in Egypt,” usually followed by the line: “Even slavery can feel safe when it’s all you know.” This narrative is increasingly promoted by Christian and post-Christian commentators, including followers of what I will call HeyZeus theology , who weaponise Jewish texts to...

by Ram ben Ze'ev One Who Wishes to Be Pious — On Blessings, Intention, and Reliance Within Judaism, there exists a necessary tension between precision and presence. On the one hand, we are commanded not to take the Name of the L-RD in vain, which our Sages understood as refraining from unnecessary, careless, or hollow utterance. On the other hand, we are taught to recognise G-D in all things: as the Provider of sustenance, the Source of existence, and the sustaining force of creation itself....

by Ram ben Ze'ev “An Orthodox Gay Shul” Is a Contradiction — And Israel Must Not Normalise It There is a modern habit of attaching holy words to unholy ideas in order to neutralise criticism. The Nations have done this to us for centuries: they rename, reframe, soften, and then demand we accept their distortion as “progress.” And now, in our own day, Jews have begun doing it to themselves — taking words that belong to Torah, using them as branding, and then expecting the ציבור (tzibbur,...

by Ram ben Ze'ev G-D Does Not Have a “Wife”: The Academic Reinvention of Idolatry There is a particular kind of modern arrogance that dresses itself in a tweed jacket, calls itself “historical inquiry,” and then proceeds to vandalise holiness with the confidence of a man who has never stood in awe of anything. We see it today in the increasing number of so-called historians who suggest — with a smirk disguised as scholarship — that G-D had a “wife,” that she was worshipped in the Temple,...

by Ram ben Ze’ev When Words Are Corrupted, Meaning Is Lost Language is not a cosmetic choice in Judaism. Language is the vessel of truth. The Torah does not merely describe reality; it creates it. G-D spoke, and the world came into being. When we alter the words, we alter the world they shape. Today, our message is in crisis, not because Jews have forgotten how to speak, but because we have grown careless about what we speak. Even within Jewish publishing houses, educational institutions,...

by Ram ben Ze'ev Hanukkah: Lighting Truth in a World That Forgets Light As we prepare once again to enter the days of Hanukkah, beginning on כ״ה כסלו (25 Kislev) — this year commencing at sundown on Sunday, 14 December 2025 — we are not merely approaching a festival of memory, but a living commandment: to kindle light, night by night, for eight days, and to bring light into the world as our mandate by G-D. Hanukkah is the time when we, the Jewish people, actively fulfil our role to bring...

by Ram ben Ze’ev Zahwa Arafat There is a great myth that has been sold to the world for decades – that a so-called Palestinian national identity, rooted in ancient history, culture, and land, has always existed and that this identity was somehow stolen. This myth did not develop organically. It was crafted, marketed, packaged, and distributed as propaganda by one Egyptian-born man: Mohammed Abdel Rahman Abdel Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini, later known by the more famous alias, Yasser...

Clarification and Ruling on the Placement of Tefilin shel Yad Background: The placement of Tefilin shel yad (תפילין של יד — hand Tefilin) has, in certain circles, been debated based on the perceived dominance of one hand over the other. Some have claimed that a left-handed man may bind the Tefilin upon his right arm, arguing that “the weaker hand” referred to in Menachot 37a is relative to one’s strength or dexterity. However, this interpretation is limited to the external reading of the...

A historical shift in leadership has placed public image above halakhic fidelity — a trend that demands careful discernment by Ram ben Ze’ev A historical shift in leadership has placed public image above halakhic fidelity — a trend that demands careful discernment There is a dangerous trend in contemporary Jewish leadership: the elevation of titles and public platforms above fidelity to Torah. Throughout our history, titles have never been the source of spiritual authority. Genuine leadership...

by Ram ben Ze'ev Conrad Flynn and Tucker Carlson There is a growing trend among certain commentators to misrepresent קבלה (Kabbalah, “receiving”) as “occult.” Recently, Conrad Flynn appeared on Tucker Carlson’s show and repeated this tired trope. It is important to push back firmly: Kabbalah is not occult. It is an inseparable and authentic dimension of תורה (Torah), transmitted through generations of Jewish sages and rooted in the same Divine revelation at הר סיני (Har Sinai, Mount Sinai)....

Hebrew Synagogue Strengthens Community Protection Through Shomrim Scotland In the wake of the terrorist attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, yesterday, Hebrew Synagogue is urging Scotland’s Jewish community to remain vigilant and informed. Through its security initiative, Shomrim Scotland, Hebrew Synagogue focuses on the protection and safeguarding of the Jewish community across Scotland. Shomrim Scotland operates under Hebrew Synagogue and works to strengthen communal security...

by Ram ben Ze'ev The Repeated Error of Assimilation Judaism teaches that words have power. Speech can wound, heal, elevate, or destroy. That is why our sages warn against לשון הרע (lashon hara – evil speech), the misuse of words to belittle or harm. This prohibition applies even to words that are true, if their purpose is to shame or diminish another Jew. But guarding against lashon hara does not mean we must remain silent when Torah itself is distorted. On the contrary, the Torah obliges us...

by Ram ben Ze’ev The Fantasy of Idolatry: Myths Masquerading as History Christianity rests upon a foundation of fantasy. At its core lies the claim that a Jewish man, called Jesus, was not only a rabbi and miracle-worker but also the son of G-D, elevated to the Divine. Yet when one examines this narrative without the haze of blind belief, the entire structure collapses. First, there is no reliable evidence that the so-called “twelve disciples” ever met or studied with this man. Not a single...

by Ram ben Ze’ev Sanctifying Idolatry: The Praise of Charlie Kirk Charlie Kirk, a young Evangelical firebrand, was assassinated in Utah. His death has triggered an extraordinary wave of sanctification, with media outlets elevating him almost overnight to the level of a saint. What is most troubling, however, is not the idolatrous exaltation of the nations, but the eagerness of Jews—including Jews in Israel—to join in this chorus of praise. By applauding Kirk, they are not honouring Israel;...

by Ram ben Ze'ev Gandhi’s Error: Why Non-Violence Alone is a Betrayal of Life Mahatma Gandhi is often remembered as the prophet of peace, the great teacher of non-violence. Yet a closer look reveals that his philosophy, applied absolutely, was not only naïve but destructive. Gandhi advised Jews facing Nazi annihilation to offer themselves up willingly, even to the extent of being “thrown into the sea” without resistance. He called Hitler “my friend” in his letters, hoping to appeal to some...

by Ram ben Ze'ev Banning Sharia: A Slippery Slope Toward Banning Halakha It has been widely reported that the U.S. state of Texas is the first state to formally ban the application of Sharia (which, incidentally, means “law,” making the phrase “Sharia law” redundant). While there is a certain theatrical appeal in legislating against something that was never plausibly going to supersede American law, the deeper concern is not about Sharia itself, but rather about the precedent this sets. Let...

by Ram ben Ze'ev When Steadfast Faith Is Called Simple: A Reflection on Emunah and Bitachon There is a trend today, even among some learned teachers, to speak about emunah (אמונה, emunah, faith) and bitachon (בטחון, bitachon, trust) as fragile qualities—measured in percentages and subject to the same doubts and anxieties that fill the secular mind. I recently listened to a popular Orthodox Rabbi who, in front of a large audience, confessed that he often feels no more than fifteen percent...

by Ram ben Ze’ev Zionism Is Judaism: The Cowardice of Cloaked Antisemitism There is a growing trend among those who oppose the existence of מדינת ישראל to claim that their views are not antisemitic, because they “only” oppose Zionism. They insist that being “anti-Zionist” is not the same as being “anti-Jewish.” But this is a falsehood — not just politically, but theologically. The separation of Jews from Zionism is not only a modern invention; it is a distortion that is fundamentally...

by Ram ben Ze'ev Marked or Remembered? A Jewish Teaching on Tattoos, Piercings, and Body Modification In a generation obsessed with self-expression, the body has become a canvas for identity. From tattoos etched permanently into the skin to piercings and ornamental jewellery adorning every part of the human form, the pursuit of individuality often overlooks a question of greater weight: what does the Torah say about these markings? What is the view of חכמי ישראל (Chakhmei Yisrael – the Sages...

by Ram ben Ze'ev It’s Not Just a Good Book: The Torah as the Instrument of Redemption There is a dangerous mindset, subtle and quiet, that has crept into the consciousness of some Jews—perhaps not intentionally, but through a slow erosion of expectation. It’s the idea that Torah, while powerful, is primarily a tool for personal growth. That mitzvot (מצוות) help us become better individuals. That study makes us wiser, and that prayer helps us feel more connected. All of that is true—but if...

by Ram ben Ze’ev When Jews Went Astray: The Tragedy of Heresy There is a persistent misconception, even among some Jews today, that a certain theological system born in the Roman era — one that co-opted Jewish language and symbols — somehow evolved as a valid continuation of Jewish faith. This is false. While it is historically accurate that the earliest proponents of this heretical path were Jews, this fact only intensifies the tragedy. For over two millennia, this distortion has cloaked...

by Ram ben Ze’ev One Torah, Many Voices: How Jews Glorify G-D Through Diverse Traditions Among the many wonders of the Jewish people is the rich diversity with which we serve G-D. From the ornate melodies of Moroccan piyyutim (פיוטים – liturgical poems) to the reserved cadence of Lithuanian yeshivot (ישיבות – Torah academies), from the flowing tzitzit (ציצית – fringes) of Yemenite Jews to the deep guttural pronunciations of Iraqi Torah readers—our people are not uniform, but we are united....

The Charity Commission has issued an Official Warning The Charity Commission, the regulator of charities in England and Wales, has issued...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Rabbi Jeremy Rosen A two-volume work has just been published. Milhemet Mitzvah : Editors Aviad Hacohen, Yitzchak...

by Ram ben Ze'ev False Flags and Fake Friends: Guarding the Jewish Soul in the Age of Deception In the age of digital masks and ideological theatre, Jews face a new yet ancient challenge: the Nations' subtle and overt manipulation of Jewish identity, often designed to confuse, distract, and ultimately distance Jews from their true mission—to serve HaShem through Torah and mitzvot. As I previously wrote in The Idolatry of Outrage , we are witnessing a deliberate spiritual sabotage, where...

by Ram ben Ze'ev We Are Not a Religion — We Are a Nation The time has come to speak plainly. The Jewish people are not adherents of a religion. We are not one of many belief systems on a shelf, nor are we participants in the global circus of faiths. We are עם קדוש ( Am Kadosh – a Holy Nation). And while the world may insist on seeing Judaism as a religion, this mischaracterisation has distorted our identity and weakened our national unity. Religion, as it is practised by the nations, is...

by Ram ben Ze'ev Arguing with G-D? A Dangerous Distortion In recent times, one sometimes hears a popular but deeply misguided phrase: "Challenge your rabbi, argue with Rashi, and if necessary, litigate with G-D." It sounds clever. It sounds bold. But it is a dangerous distortion of Judaism. Authentic Judaism commands us to honour our parents, honour our teachers, and above all, honour and revere the Creator of Heaven and Earth. Questioning in Torah study is encouraged — not to undermine...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Rabbi Jeremy Rosen There’s no question that the challenges we Jews are facing at this moment , internally and...

by Ram ben Ze'ev The Tragic Consequence of Assimilation: When We Let the Nations Define Us Assimilation has consequences. Not only in how we dress, eat, or celebrate—but in how we speak, and even more dangerously, in how we think. The Holy One, Blessed is He, commands us in ספר ויקרא (Sefer Vayikra – Leviticus) 19:2: דבר אל כל עדת בני ישראל ואמרת אלהם קדשים תהיו כי קדוש אני ה אלקיכם “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Yisrael, and say to them: You shall be holy, for I, the L-RD...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Rabbi Jeremy Rosen I don’t usually send out the ideas of others. But this is an exception. The modest man who wrote...

by Ram ben Ze'ev When Defending Israel Crosses a Line: A Torah View on Public Embarrassment In a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience , British author and political commentator Douglas Murray confronted comedian Dave Smith about his public criticisms of Israel. Murray, who has emerged as a staunch public defender of Israel — particularly following the atrocities of 7 October 2023 — pointedly noted that Smith had never even visited Israel, let alone the broader region. The tone and...

by Ram ben Ze'ev We Were Freed to Choose As we prepare our homes and hearts for פסח (Pesach), we revisit the powerful truth at the core of our national story: we were redeemed from slavery so that we could become free. But true freedom in יהדות (Yahadut – Judaism) is not about doing whatever we like — it is about the privilege and responsibility to choose what is right. There is a phrase often repeated: "We have free will, but that doesn’t mean that G-D doesn’t know which choices we will...

Sacrifices or deeds? by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Every book of the Torah contains a range of different subjects, ideas and...

by Ram ben Ze'ev The Immutable Authority of Torah Over Talmudic Law In מסכת יבמות (Masekhet Yevamot) דף פה עמוד ב (85b), we encounter a deceptively brief yet theologically profound statement by רבי (Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi), the redactor of the משנה (Mishnah) and head of the Jewish community in the Land of ישראל (Yisrael) in the second century: "הראשונים איסורי תורה, ואיסורי תורה אין צריכין חיזוק. והאחרונים איסורי סופרים, ואיסורי סופרים צריכין חיזוק." “The former are prohibitions of the Torah,...

Exodus 35-3:20 - Community by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Rabbi Jeremy Rosen “Moshe then gathered the whole Israelite community and said to...

Is Purim Violent? by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen For hundreds of years the very idea of Jews rejoicing publicly was deemed offensive to...

by Ram ben Ze’ev Purim: The Most Important Jewish Holiday As Purim approaches, beginning on the evening of Thursday, March 13th, 2025, and concluding on Friday, March 14th, 2025, we find ourselves once again at a moment of immense spiritual opportunity. Many consider Yom Kippur to be the holiest day of the Jewish year, a day of atonement and repentance. However, a deeper understanding of our tradition, rooted in the Holy Zohar and the writings of the Arizal, reveals that Purim holds an even...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Giovanni Pico Della Mirandola I first heard of the Christian polymath Giovanni Pico Della Mirandola (1463-1494)...

Exodus Chapter 25-27:20 - The Urim and Tumim by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Those who care about American Ivy League...

Shemot Chapters 21:1-24:18 - A Constitution by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Rabbi Jeremy Rosen The sequence of laws as given in the recent...

by Ram ben Ze'ev Do Good. Tell No One. In a world that thrives on self-promotion, where acts of kindness are often accompanied by a social media post, a press release, or a plaque on the wall, Judaism offers a countercultural message: Do good. Tell no one. The One who needs to know, already does—G-D. This principle is not only a moral aspiration but a deeply embedded truth in Jewish thought. The תלמוד (Talmud) in עבודה זרה (Avodah Zarah) 2b states:"כל צדקה וחסד שאומות העולם עושין - חטא הוא...

May G-D rise in justice for our nation's blood—not only to avenge, but to grant us victory over our enemies and the strength to stand unshaken השם יקום דמנו בצדק—לא רק לנקום, אלא להעניק לנו ניצחון על אויבינו ואת הכוח לעמוד איתנים by Ram ben Ze’ev This Line Holds. No Surrender. No Retreat. Yesterday, on Shabbat, February 8, 2025, three Jewish men—Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami, and Or Levy—were released after enduring 491 days as hostages of the Arab terrorists of Gaza. The price for their freedom?...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Rabbi Jeremy Rosen What is a Yeshivah? A place where you sit, literally. Of course, you can do many things when...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Rabbi Jeremy Rosen There are very different reasons why Jews have always migrated, and many have assimilated. When...

by Ram ben Ze'ev Jimmy Carter: A Legacy of Missteps and Manipulations The death of former President Jimmy Carter marks the end of a political life that many heralded as humble and peace-driven. However, a closer examination of his actions reveals a legacy marred by interference in Israel’s sovereignty, promotion of theological condescension towards Judaism, and a peace agreement with Egypt that proved more illusionary than substantive. Carter's presidency (1977-1981) and post-presidency...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Since we are in the midst of party season, I am reminded of the strange history of Jewish...

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen Rabbi Jeremy Rosen A few weeks ago, The Economist ran an article referring to Sir Isaiah Berlin. He was an...

by Ram ben Ze'ev The Wisdom of Silence: Avoiding Fruitless Arguments in the Age of Social Media Social media, once envisioned as a platform for meaningful connection and the free exchange of ideas, has increasingly devolved into a digital battleground. Each day, millions engage in heated debates over politics, religion, and culture, often without any hope of changing hearts or minds. Instead, these arguments leave participants frustrated, drained, and further entrenched in their positions....

by Rabbi Jeremy Rosen People are asking why now are we experiencing such a tsunami of hatred? A kind of MaNishtanah moment. There are...

Mayside Books is delighted to announce the release of a new edition of William Shakespeare’s enchanting play, The Tempest: A Tale of Magic and Redemption . This edition is part of Mayside Books’ curated collection of literary classics, offering readers fresh insights into one of Shakespeare’s most magical and thought-provoking works. This edition features an original introduction by Ram ben Ze’ev, a UK-based columnist and author renowned for his analytical depth. Ben Ze’ev explores the play’s...

Mayside Books is proud to announce the release of a new edition of William Shakespeare’s masterpiece, King Lear: The Tragedy of Power and Madness . This edition, part of Mayside Books’ curated collection of literary classics, provides readers with fresh insights into one of Shakespeare’s most powerful and enduring works. This edition features an original introduction by Ram ben Ze’ev, a renowned UK-based columnist and author. In his insightful commentary, ben Ze’ev delves into the play’s...

Mayside Books is proud to announce the release of a new edition of William Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, Othello: Betrayal and Jealousy . This beautifully crafted edition is part of Mayside Books’ collection of reimagined literary classics, designed to bring fresh insight and accessibility to the works of history’s greatest authors. Featuring an original introduction by Ram ben Ze’ev, a renowned UK-based columnist and author, this edition delves into the enduring themes of Shakespeare’s...

Mayside Books is proud to announce the release of a new edition of William Shakespeare’s timeless love story, Romeo and Juliet: The Tragedy of the Star-Crossed Lovers . As part of Mayside Books’ collection of reimagined classics, this edition offers readers fresh insights into one of the most enduring tales of passion, fate, and tragedy. This edition features an original introduction by Ram ben Ze’ev, a UK-based columnist and author renowned for his thoughtful analyses. In his introduction,...

Mayside Books proudly announces the release of a new edition of William Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, Hamlet: The Tragedy of the Danish Prince . This latest offering in Mayside Books’ reimagined classics collection provides fresh insights into one of the most iconic works in the history of literature. This edition features an original introduction by Ram ben Ze’ev, a UK-based columnist and author known for his in-depth analyses and thought-provoking perspectives. Ben Ze’ev’s introduction...

Mayside Books is thrilled to announce the release of a new edition of William Shakespeare’s dark and gripping tragedy, Macbeth: The Scottish Play Unveiled . This latest addition to Mayside Books’ collection of reimagined literary classics offers fresh insights into one of Shakespeare’s most haunting masterpieces. This edition features an original introduction by Ram ben Ze’ev, a distinguished UK-based columnist and author known for his thought-provoking perspectives. Ben Ze’ev’s introduction...

Mayside Books is delighted to announce the release of a new edition of William Shakespeare’s enchanting comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Tale of Love and Mischief . This edition is part of Mayside Books’ distinguished collection of reimagined literary classics, designed to provide readers with fresh insights into some of the world’s most beloved works. Featuring an original introduction by Ram ben Ze’ev, a respected UK-based columnist and author, this edition explores the play’s whimsical...

by Ram ben Ze'ev Mazel, Divine Flow, and Trust in HaShem In Judaism, the concept of mazel (מזל)—often misunderstood as "luck"—refers not to random fortune but to a divine flow or influence, the continuous source of life and sustenance from HaShem (השם). The phrase "Mazel Tov" expresses a wish for someone to be in harmony with this flow of blessing and divine influence. As the Talmud says, “Ein Mazel L'Yisrael” (Shabbat 156a), “Israel is not bound by the constellations.” This statement...