What is Kima?

An Astronomical perspective on the Talmudic passage in tractate Berachot 58b

Ehud Bar Sinai

In honored memory of Rabbi Tsvi Kamil - a man of Torah and Science who passed away on Av 16, 5770

Introduction

The Kima constellation is the body mentioned most often in Jewish sources after the sun and the moon.

Kima is mentioned three times in the Bible1, three times in the Babylonian Talmud,

2 once in the

Jerusalem Talmud, once in the Tannaitic book of Seder Olam Rabba, and in many Midrashim and

Piyutim.

There have been many attempts to answer the question of what is Kima, which star or constellation does

Kima designate and where is it located on the map of the sky.

Throughout the generations, many have attempted to determine this location. The most prominent

suggestions include:

Aldebaran (Taurus) – Ibn Ezra3, Saadia Gaon

Sirius (Canis Major) – George Hoffman, Professor M. A. Stern

Arcturus (Bootes) – Septuaginta of Job,4 Vulgate of Amos.

5

Draco – Marcus Jastrow6

Scorpio – Maharsha,7 the Vilna Gaon,

8 and the Shir

9

Pleiades (Taurus) – Vulgate, Septuaginta, Hakalir, Rashi, Ba'alei Hatossafot

Pharkdan (Ursa minor) – Ibn Janach10

Hyadas (Taurus) – Vulgate in Job

Rashi and most of the Jewish commentators and researchers claim that the zodiac sign Kima is the star

cluster known among astronomers as Pleiades, or M45 (Messier object 45)11

. Chazal referred to it as

“Aries tail”, because of its location between the zodiac signs12

of Aries and Taurus.

This essay does not propose to review everything that was written about Kima in the various sources over

the generations, but rather to focus on the astronomic aspect of the passage in tractate Berachot 58b. This

passage in the Babylonian Talmud deals with the four astral bodies Kima, Kesil, Ayish (Ash) and

Scorpio. An astronomical investigation of what the passage says about the relationship of these four astral

bodies leads to the conclusion that Kima should be identified as Scorpio, in contrast with its widespread

identification as Aries.

1 Amos 5:6; Job 9:9; and, Job: 38:3.

2 Berachot 58b; Rosh Hashana 11b; and, Bava Metzia 106b.

3 Rabbi Avraham ben Meir ben Ezra (1093-1164).

4 The Septuagint on Job (a translation of the bible into Greek, written during the second century B.C.E.)

5 Translation of the Bible to Latin, which was done in the fourth century B.C.E.

6 Author of the Aramaic-English Dictionary (1829-1903).

7 Rabbi Samuel Eliezer Halevi Eidels (1555-1632).

8 Rabbi Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman Kramer, the Vilna Gaon (1720-1797).

9 Shlomo Yehuda Rappaport (1790-1867).

10 Rabbi Yonah Ibn Janah (Spain, 990-1050).

11 Charles Messier, French astronomer (1730-1817).

12 In this essay the term Zodiac sign means one of the 12 star constellations in the zodiac.

Tractate Berachot 58b (Babylonian Talmud) – Kima and Kesil, the

Astronomic Passage

In tractate Berachot 58b, the Talmud deals with blessings recited at the sight of works of creation and

wonders of nature such as zikim (which, according to Shmuel's interpretation, is actually a comet),

thunder, and lightning. Later on, the Talmud introduces some of the basic astronomic knowledge of the

time.

לבר מכוכבא דשביט דלא ידענא , נהירין לי שבילי דשמיא כשבילי דנהרדעא: ואמר שמואל

: הא כיצד עשה כימה וכסיל עשה עש כסיל וכימה וכתיב כתיב: שמואל רמי /מאי ניהו

לא -ואלמלא צינה של כימה , לא נתקיים עולם מפני צינה של כימה -אלמלא חמה של כסיל

.ילנתקיים עולם מפני חמה של כס

The Amora Shmuel says: 13

The paths of Heaven are clear to me as the paths of Nehardea; except for a

kochva d’shavit of which I am ignorant. Shmuel contrasted. It is written He

makes Ash Kesil and Kima (Job 9), but it is written: He makes Kima and Kesil

(Amos 5). How so? Were it not for the heat of Kesil, the world would not

survive due to the cold of Kima; and were it not for the cold of Kima, the world

would not survive due to the heat of Kesil

From the Astronomic Perspective

It is possible to make two deductions from Shmuel’s words:

a) Kima and Kesil are equal in size and strength. From an astronomic standpoint, this means that

both star constellations are identical in number of stars, degree of brightness, and angular size of

their surfaces. And Rashi accordingly interprets: “How so – this teaches that both are equal.”

b) Kima is one of the winter constellations, while Kesil is a summer constellation. Therefore, the

angular distance between them is 081°. This is also understood from Rashi’s interpretation noting

that: “… Kesil rules during the summer period…, and Kima rules during the winter period.”

It is important to note that in ancient times the term “summer constellations” referred to constellations

through which the sun passes during the summer days (such as the constellation Leo – the zodiac sign of

the summer month of Av). The term “winter constellations” referred to constellations through which the

sun passes during the winter days (such as the constellation Aquarius – the zodiac sign of the winter

month of Shvat). The meaning of these terms in contemporary astronomic discourse is exactly the

reverse; currently, “winter constellations” are the constellations seen in the East in the winter, after the

sun sets, and “summer constellations” are those seen in the East in the summer, after the sun sets.

13

One of the important first generation Talmudic sages; he had extensive knowledge in astronomy.

This diametrical relationship between Kima and Kesil is already mentioned in the Bible. Amos 5:8 says:

י הי א למ ך לבקר צלמות ויום לילה החשיך הקור ה כימה וכסיל והפ ם וישפכם על פני עש

.שמו' הארץ ה

Who made Kima and Kesil, Who turns deep darkness into dawn and darkens

day into night, Who summons the waters of the sea and pours them out upon

the earth—His name is the LORD!

Apparently, there Kima and Kesil are opposites, like morning and the evening or day and night.

Job 38:31 echoes this opposition by the use of the opposite verbs [ ח.ת.פ -ר .ש.ק] :

ח " ר מעדנות כימה או משכות כסיל תפת "התקש

Can you tie the cords to Kima or undo the reins of Kesil?

The diametric positions of the two constellations and their identical size, as suggested by these verses,

cannot be reconciled with the conclusion of many interpreters that Kima is “Aries tail” (=Pleiades) and

Kesil is Orion. It is well known that Orion and Pleiades are very close to each other rather than

diametrically opposed and they are certainly not similar in size. The Pleiades are a small cluster of only 6

or 7 barely visible stars, while Orion is a large collection of prominent stars considered by some to be the

largest and finest looking of the constellations.

The following illustration shows clearly the differences between Orion and Pleiades:

Illustration 1 – Orion and Pleiades

Orion

Pleiades

“Aries Tail”

(טלה זנב)

Taurus

Aries

The Tail of Scorpion – Continuation of the Berachot Passage, ibid

והיינו דקאמר .כל מאן דהוה טרקא ליה עקרבא לא הוה חיי אי לאו עוקצא דעקרבא דמנח בנהר דינור, וגמירי

.התקשר מעדנות כימה או משכות כסיל תפתח ליה רחמנא לאיוב

And it is known if the tail of the Scorpion was not placed in the stream of fire,

anyone bitten by a scorpion would not live. And this is that which the Merciful

One said to Job: Could you tie the bonds of Kima or loosen the shackles of

Kesil (Job 38:32).

The Astronomic Perspective

The question arising from this passage is, how is Scorpio related to Kima and Kesil? Rashi answers: “The

Scorpion is Kima, and it belongs to the zodiac sign of Aries”.

This response contradicts itself: how can Kima belong to both Aries and Scorpio, which are on opposite

ends of the night sky? My initial assumption was that there had been some sort of mistake in the quote

from Rashi, but a quick comparison with manuscripts confirmed that this passage was quoted accurately.

Rashi is known for his preciseness in interpreting the Talmud, so what could he have meant in the above

words regarding Scorpio?

Some tried to resolve the astronomic contradiction in Rashi’s words by suggesting that the word

“scorpion” does not mean the zodiac sign of Scorpio in the sky, but rather the scorpion on earth – whose

sting is as cold as the cold on Kima. However, this explanation does not fit the Talmudic passage that

clearly states that the scorpion’s tail dips into the Dinor River, which the astronomers identify as the

Milky Way (see Illustration 2).

It is highly improbable that Rashi did not know that Scorpio is one of the 12 zodiac signs; after all he

mentions this several times in the Talmud.

It is important to note that Scorpio and Orion are of the largest and most impressive constellations in the

sky. Each one has seven large stars, all of which are included in the list of the 100 brightest stars.14

Interestingly enough, some Jewish scholars, among them the Maharsha15

, the Vilna Gaon 16 and the Shir

17,

believed that Kima is actually Scorpio and not Aries.

Illustration 2 – The Scorpio constellation whose sting rests in the Dinor River

14

The 100 Brightest Stars – http://calgary.rasc.ca/stellarmagnitudes.htm 15

Maharsha – Rabbi Shemel Elazar Eidels (1555-1632). See his commentary on Berachot 58b: “And it appears

according to the versions of the first chapter of [tractate] Rosh Hashana that Kima is also not from the Aries

zodiac sign, but rather from the Scorpio Zodiac sign, which is unique to the month of Cheshvan; and therefore,

both are cold because their ascendance is in Cheshvan, which is the beginning of the cold period, and it did not

say that Aries Tail is only in Ash. 16

The Vilna Gaon – Rabbi Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman Kramer(1720-1797). See his commentary on tractate

Rosh Hashana 11b, which can be found in the Tikkunei Hazohar, and in the book Sde Eliyahu. 17

Shir – Rabbi Shlmo Yehuda Rappaport (1790-1867). He was the rabbi of Tarnopol, and later of Prague. See his

essay “Nahar Dinur” in his book Erech Milin – Warsaw 5674, 1914, pp. 297-301.

The Manuscript Will Prove It – A Surprising Discovery in a Forgotten

Manuscript

Important support for Scorpio being Kima was found in an unanticipated source – two different

manuscripts18

of tractate Berachot. Both include the following unexpected passage, which does not appear

in the printed Talmud:

ואלמלא עוקצא דעקרב דטריק ליה לכסיל לא הוה מתקיים עלמא

If it were not for the tail of Scorpio, which bites Kesil, the world would not exist.

The Astronomic Perspective

This is just like in the Greek myth19

of the struggle between the hunter Orion and the scorpion. The

struggle, which ended with Orion being stung to death, culminated in both opponents fixed in the sky at

two opposite poles, so that when one rises, the other sets – and vice versa.

From these manuscripts (the passage on the Scorpio and Orion), three things can be learned:

1. Kesil is Orion.

2. Scorpio and Kesil are two different zodiac signs on opposite sides of the sky, which does not

accord with Ibn Ezra’s explanation20

that Kesil is Scorpio.

3. Further support of the claim that in Shmuel’s opinion Kima is in fact Scorpio.

Illustration 3 – Tractate Berachot 58b, Paris Manuscript 671 (the additional passage is

underlined)

18

a. A manuscript of the Talmud that can be found in the Paris library (Paris 671).

b. A manuscript of the Talmud that can be found in the Oxford library (Oxford 366). 19

http://www.theoi.com/Gigante/GiganteOrion.html 20

See the Ibn Ezra commentary on Job 38:31. It appears as though Ibn Ezra was unfamiliar with this Talmudic

text.

What is Kima – Continuation of the Passage in Berachot, ibid

.דמבדרן: אמרי לה דמכנפי ואמרי לה. אמר שמואל כמאה כוכבי? מאי כימה

What is Kima? Shmuel said: like a hundred stars. Some say that they are

gathered together, and some that they are scattered.

The Astronomic Perspective

There are those who ask: Why is it called Kima? And Shmuel answers that this is because it has many

stars. The sound of the word “Kima” is similar to the sound of the Hebrew word “k’meah” (like 100).

Today with the help of large telescopes, it is possible to view hundreds of stars in the Pleiades cluster, and

some wondered how Shmuel knew this, when even the sharpest eye can only discern 6 or 7 stars.

If we identify Kima with Scorpio, then Shmuel’s explanation is easily understood. He referred to the

Dinor River in the area of Scorpio’s tail21

. It includes myriads of stars that look clustered together in one

part of the Milky Way and scattered in another part of it.

And so, the issue of “what is Kima” has been resolved.

21

It is common knowledge that in the area of Scorpio’s tail, the Milky Way stars are highly concentrated, and the

Milky Way can be viewed clearly there, whereas in other areas of the sky the view is weaker.

Kima and the Great Flood – Continuation of the Passage in Berachot, ibid

רישא : ואמרי לה, זנב טלה: אמרי לה? מאי יותא. יותא: אמר רב יהודה? מאי עש

ועיש על בניה תנחם אלמא ( ח"איוב ל)דכתיב , ומסתברא כמאן דאמר זנב טלה. דעגלא

!הב לי בני: דאמרה לה -והאי דאזלא בתרה . דמיחזי דמיטרף טריף, חסרה

What is Ash? Rave Yehuda said: Yotha. What is Yotha? Some say it is the tail

of the ram, and some say it is the head of the bull. And it is reasonable to

follow the one who says the tail of the ram. For it is written: And could you

comfort Ayish for her children? Evidently [Ash] is missing. And [the tail of the

ram] appears as it had been beaten. And the reason why [Ash] follows [Kima]

is that she says to [Kima], give me my children!

נטל שני כוכבים מכימה והביא מבול , שבשעה שהקדוש ברוך הוא בקש להביא מבול לעולם

.נטל שני כוכבים מעיש וסתמה -וכשבקש לסתמה , לעולם

וליברי לה תרי קטיגור נעשה סניגור אין: אי נמי, אין הבור מתמלא מחוליתו ?וליהדר לה

, הקדוש ברוך הוא להחזירן לה עתיד: אמר רב נחמן. אין כל חדש תחת השמש אחריני ככבי

.ועיש על בניה תנחם שנאמר

For when the Holy One Blessed Be He wanted to bring a flood upon the world

he took two stars from Kima and he brought a flood upon the world, and when

he wanted to fill it in [the gap] he took two stars from Ayish and filled it up

But let God return Kima’s to her. A pit cannot be filled with its own earth.

Alternatively, a prosecutor cannot become a defender. But let [God] create

two other stars for [Kima]. There is nothing new beneath the sun. Rav

Nachman said: In the future, the Holy One Blessed Be He, will restore [Ash’s]

stars to her, for it is stated: or lead Ayish together with her children.

The Astronomic Perspective

This section completes Kima’s history in tractate Berachot. First, the passage shows that “the tail of the

ram” (Aries tail) actually refers to Ash and not to Kima. In addition, the relationship between Kima and

the story of the Great Flood is mentioned. According to this passage, when God wanted to bring about the

Great Flood on the world, he took two stars from Kima.

Apparently these are the two stars that protrude from the edge of the tail of the scorpion (Shaula and

Lesath), in the heart of the Milky Way. These two stars were stuck there, in the Dinor River, like two

corks, and when God extracted them, the heavens opened up and the Great Flood began to rain on earth.

This explanation is compatible with the saying traditionally22

attributed to Rav Chisda that the Great

Flood consisted of boiling water which fell from the Dinor River (the river of fire).

22

See tractate Rosh Hashana 11b.

Summary

The analysis of the passage in tractate Berachot 58b leads to the conclusion that Kima is identified with

the Scorpio cluster. On the other hand, the analysis of the other passages in the Talmud that mention

Kima, and which I have not discussed in this article, reveals a more complex picture.

In tractate Bava Metziah 106b Kima is clearly identified with “Aries tail” (Pleiades), which marks the end

of the planting season, when it appears above the head (is in the zenith during the evening hours).

However, in tractate Rosh Hashana 11b (and also Seder Olam Rabba chapter 4) in the discussion on Kima

and the Great Flood, Kima is identified as both “Aries tail” (Pleiades) and Scorpio. This is due to the

different and conflicting versions on the topic of Kima and the Great Flood that exist in the different

manuscripts.23

It appears that the oldest source associating Kima with “Aries tail” (Pleiades) is the

Septuagint, written in the second century B.C.E.

After reviewing all of the information concerning the identity of Kima, it appears to me that in Biblical

times (Amos/Job), an ancient tradition identifying Kima as Scorpio was widely accepted. This tradition

was forgotten over time and was replaced with a new tradition; one that identifies Kima with the

Pleiades,24

as reflected in the translation of the Bible to Greek. The Sages of Israel who wanted to adapt

the translation to the Greek culture, replaced Kima with Pleiades in their interpretations, just as they

introduced many other changes.25

According to this explanation, in tractate Berachot Shmuel refers to the ancient tradition whereas in

tractate Bava Metzia 106b, Rav Pappa, a later Babylonian fifth generation Amora, brings a more modern

tradition, which shows that watching Kima helped determine the end of the planting season – much like

the Greeks who observed the Pleiades for agricultural purposes.

In tractate Rosh Hashana 11b the two traditions fused and were given equal expression. According to

those who say the world was created in Nissan and the Great Flood was in Iyar, Kima is “Aries tail”

(Rabbi Yehoshua) whereas, according to those who say that the world was created in Tishrei and the

Great Flood was in Marcheshvan, Kima is Scorpio (Rabbi Eliezer)26

.

Rashi accurately expressed this ambiguous situation:

(Rashi - Berachot 58b) עקרב היינו כימה וממזל טלה הוא

Scorpio is Kima and it is part of the Aries zodiac sign

23

See "Kima" and the Flood in "Seder 'Olam" and B.T. Rosh Ha-Shana Stellar Time-Reckoning and Uranography

in Rabbinic Literature: Chaim Milikowsky: Proceedings of the American Academy for Jewish Research, Vol.

50 (1983), pp. 105-132 24

The Pleiades constellation has an important place in Greek culture, and it is mentioned in the poetry of Homer

and Hesiod. Its celestial position was used as a reference point for determining the agricultural seasons. 25

Talmud Bavli, Megilla 9a 26

See Prof. Milikovsky (note 23) p. 117 –This emendation must be based upon an alternative identification of

Kima, according to which Kima is an astral body roughly antipodal to the Pleiades.

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to Rabbi Rachamim Sar Shalom for his important suggestions and help in preparing this

article.