shabbat 156

just because you are born under a bad sign, doesn't mean you can't rise above the stars.

(being born on certain days of the week, hours of the days, or months of the year can determine one's character. but also has stories of people overcoming their fate. in the drawing the female figure is standing on a floor mosaic of the zodiac found in the ancient Beit Alfa Synagogue. for english translation of this talmud page, see here)

shabbat 75

the importance of studying and teaching the wisdom and science of the stars in the heavens above.

and knowing how to expertly remove blood from what is found in the seas and sand below.

- just be careful who you study with.

(amongst the list of main categories of prohibited work on shabbat is a criticism of not speaking if one knows about the stars. an interesting perspective on the importance of scientific knowledge. wisdom and understanding that is recognised by all. but also is a warning not to learn anything from a magosh, persian priest. for english translation of this talmud page, see here)

shabbat 35

at the end of the day, is it about sight or sound?

seeing 2 stars in the sky, birds coming back to nest, or the sun just above the treetops.

or listening to the shofar being blasted from the rooftops?

sight or sound?
either way, twilight comes from above.

(discussion about twilight, and the beginning of shabbat. different opinions about observation of various natural phenomenon - 2 stars, birds coming back to nest, sun just above the treetops. & the communal 6 shofar blasts in the countdown to shabbat. for english translation of this talmud page, see here)