🪐 Astrology −58%

Hebrew Medical Astrology: David Ben Yom Tov, Kelal Qatan, Original Hebrew Text, Medieval Latin Translation, Modern English Translation

✍️ Charles Burnett, Gerrit Bos, Tzvi Langermann
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$45.00 $108.00 Save $63.00 (58%)
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A scholarly edition of David Ben Yom Tov's medieval medical astrology text in three languages.

Charles Burnett and colleagues provide a tri-lingual presentation of the Kelal Qatan, revealing how fourteenth-century Hebrew scholars integrated celestial mechanics with therapeutic practices. The volume allows readers to compare the original Hebrew with its Latin counterpart and modern English interpretation, highlighting the evolution of medical terminology. This approach supports detailed study of the period's scientific thought without requiring fluency in ancient languages.

Key Themes
medieval medical astrology Hebrew scholarly tradition Latin translation history
Literary Context

David Ben Yom Tov lived in the first half of the fourteenth century. His work reflects the intersection of Hebrew scholarship and Latin scientific traditions during the medieval period, a time when astrological medicine was a significant field of study.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Gemma Frisius · Gerolamo Cardano · Historical Astrology Anthologies
🪐
Astrology

Praise for this book

“There is absolutely no doubt that this small booklet, a mere 120 pages, clearly has advanced our knowledge of Hebrew medieval medicine.”
— C. Valley
🏛 American Philosophical Society Press 📅 2005 📖 121 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9780871699558
Fun Fact
This meticulously edited volume is an essential acquisition for any serious scholar of esoteric traditions or the history of science. Its trilingual presentation offers unparalleled depth, making a complex medieval text accessible. While it won't provide a guide to modern astrological practice, it profoundly illuminates the intellectual landscape of 14th-century healing. A cornerstone for academic libraries and dedicated researchers, it might prove dense for the casual enthusiast.

📝 Description: Hebrew Medical Astrology: David Ben Yom Tov, Kelal Qatan, Original Hebrew Text, Medieval Latin Translation, Modern English Translation

This volume presents a critical edition of the Kelal Qatan, a concise summary of medical astrology composed by David Ben Yom Tov in the first half of the fourteenth century. Known in Latin sources as David Iudaeus, this Hebrew scholar produced a text that bridges Jewish intellectual traditions with broader medieval scientific discourse. The book provides the original Hebrew manuscript alongside a medieval Latin translation and a modern English rendering, allowing readers to trace the transmission of these ideas across linguistic boundaries. Edited by Charles Burnett, Gerrit Bos, and Tzvi Langermann, this publication offers a scholarly examination of how astrological principles were applied to medicine during the medieval period. The work focuses on the intersection of celestial movements and human health, reflecting the specialized knowledge of its time. By presenting the text in three languages, the editors facilitate a deeper understanding of the terminology and conceptual frameworks used by David Ben Yom Tov. The physical book is a hardcover edition published by the American Philosophical Society Press. It contains 121 pages and weighs approximately 0.46 kilograms. This compact format makes it accessible for those interested in the history of science and occult studies. The text does not cater to casual readers seeking practical horoscope advice but rather suits scholars, historians, and serious students of medieval medicine who wish to engage with primary sources. As noted by C. Valley, this small booklet has advanced knowledge of Hebrew medieval medicine, providing a clear window into the astrological practices of the era.

💎 Expert review

“
💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
This volume serves as a specialized academic resource for those interested in the intersection of Jewish scholarship and medieval medicine. While it provides clear modern English translations alongside source texts, it is not intended for casual readers or those seeking practical, contemporary astrological advice. The content demands a serious engagement with historical linguistic structures and esoteric medical theories. Readers looking for quick horoscopes or simple healing tips will find this dense academic study unappealing and overly technical. It is strictly for researchers and dedicated historians of science who appreciate the rigor of comparative textual analysis within the context of 14th-century intellectual history.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Scholars and enthusiasts of the esoteric will find immense value in this rare textual edition, which offers unparalleled access to a forgotten system of celestial diagnosis. By presenting David Ben Yom Tov's pivotal work alongside its original Hebrew text, medieval Latin translation, and modern English rendition, the volume bridges centuries of scholarly tradition. It is essential for those seeking to understand how planetary influences and lunar phases were historically believed to govern human health. This comprehensive approach allows readers to trace the intricate connections between zodiacal signs and medical practice, providing a deep dive into the intellectual heritage that shaped pre-modern healing methods.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5
★★★★★
If you're fascinated by the history of medicine, the arcane intersection of astrology and healing, or medieval Jewish thought, this volume is an indispensable addition to your library. Scholars of esotericism, medical history, and Hebraic studies will find its trilingual presentation particularly…

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
E
Esoterica Books editorial team

This volume serves as a specialized academic resource for those interested in the intersection of Jewish scholarship and medieval medicine. While it provides clear modern English translations alongside source texts, it is not intended for casual readers or those seeking practical, contemporary astrological advice. The content demands a serious engagement with historical linguistic structures and esoteric medical theories. Readers looking for quick horoscopes or simple healing tips will find this dense academic study unappealing and overly technical. It is strictly for researchers and dedicated historians of science who appreciate the rigor of comparative textual analysis within the context of 14th-century intellectual history.

❓ Frequently asked questions

"Kelal Qatan" translates to "Concise Summary," and it is David Ben Yom Tov's seminal work on medical astrology, detailing how celestial mechanics were thought to influence human health and disease in the medieval era.
The inclusion of the original Hebrew, its medieval Latin translation, and a modern English rendering is crucial. It allows readers to directly compare texts, understand the nuances of translation, and appreciate the widespread dissemination of these medical astrological ideas.

📖 Who should read this

If you're fascinated by the history of medicine, the arcane intersection of astrology and healing, or medieval Jewish thought, this volume is an indispensable addition to your library. Scholars of esotericism, medical history, and Hebraic studies will find its trilingual presentation particularly illuminating.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Celestial Health Influences

Explore the foundational principles of medical astrology as understood in the medieval era. This text meticulously details how planetary positions, zodiacal signs, and lunar cycles were believed to correlate with specific ailments, prognoses, and optimal timings for medical interventions, offering a comprehensive ancient diagnostic framework.

Multilingual Textual Insight

This unique edition provides an invaluable resource for linguistic and historical study, presenting David Ben Yom Tov's original Hebrew manuscript alongside its crucial medieval Latin translation and a contemporary English rendering. It allows scholars to trace the transmission and evolution of medical astrological knowledge across different cultural and linguistic contexts.

Medieval Jewish Esotericism

Gain insight into the rich intellectual contributions of Jewish scholars like David Ben Yom Tov during the medieval period. His "Kelal Qatan" stands as a testament to the sophisticated integration of astronomical observation, philosophical inquiry, and medical practice within Jewish intellectual traditions, often influencing wider European thought.

📜 Historical context

Composed in the early 14th century, David Ben Yom Tov's work exemplifies the widespread practice of medical astrology during the medieval period. This tradition, blending ancient Greek and Arabic medical theories with astrological principles, was a cornerstone of pre-modern diagnosis and treatment. His text reflects the vibrant intellectual exchange among Jewish, Christian, and Islamic scholars across Europe.

📚 Glossary

Medical Astrology
Kelal Qatan
David Iudaeus

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. How might a deeper understanding of historical medical astrology influence our contemporary perceptions of holistic health and the mind-body connection?
  2. Considering the book's trilingual nature, what insights can be gained by comparing the nuances of medical and astrological terminology across Hebrew, Latin, and English?
  3. Reflect on the role of celestial bodies in pre-modern thought. How did this worldview shape daily life, and what echoes of it might persist today?

You might also like

See more →
Persian Nativities IV: On the Revolutions of the Years of Nativities -14%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Benjamin N Dykes, Abu Ma'shar Al-Balkhi
Persian Nativities IV: On the Revolutions of the Years of Nativities
$36.00 $42.00
92
Ancient Astrology Theory and Practice: Matheseos Libri VIII
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
2
Firmicus Maternus, Julius
Ancient Astrology Theory and Practice: Matheseos Libri VIII
$29.95
92
Prometheus the Awakener
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Tarnas, Richard
Prometheus the Awakener
$22.00
92
Cardano's Cosmos: The Worlds and Works of a Renaissance Astrologer (Revised) -13%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Cardano's Cosmos: The Worlds and Works of a Renaissance Astrologer (Revised)
$45.00 $52.00
89
I Know All about You: The True Power of Astropsychology -34%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.8
1
Turi, Louis
I Know All about You: The True Power of Astropsychology
$25.00 $38.00
89
The Horary Textbook - Revised Edition (Revised) -54%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Frawley, John
The Horary Textbook - Revised Edition (Revised)
$45.00 $98.00
86
Calculating the Bazi: The Ganzhi/Chinese Astrology Workbook
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Karin Taylor Taylor Wu, Zhongxian Wu
Calculating the Bazi: The Ganzhi/Chinese Astrology Workbook
$45.00
86
Understanding Karmic Complexes
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Walsh, Patricia L
Understanding Karmic Complexes
$45.00
86
The Night School: Lessons in Moonlight, Magic, and the Mysteries of Being Human -13%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
2
Toll, Maia
The Night School: Lessons in Moonlight, Magic, and the Mysteries of Being Human
$45.00 $52.00
86

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist