Baraita of Samuel

A Baraita of Samuel (Hebrew: בריתא דרבי שמואל‎) was known to Jewish scholars from Shabbethai Donolo in the 10th century to Simon Duran in the 15th century, and citations from it were made by them. It was considered as lost until around 1900, when it unexpectedly appeared in print.

In its present form, the Baraita is composed of nine chapters, treating astronomy and astrology. The first chapter deals with the form of heaven, of Orion, of the Pleiades, of Draco, and of the planets and their light. The second and third treat of the movements of the moon and the course of the Zodiac. At the same time directions are given for adjusting the gnomon of a sun-dial. The fourth defines the character of the seasons and the planets; the fifth, the orbits of the planets. Directions are given for calculating Molad and Teḳufah. The sixth imparts the teachings of the Egyptian sages on the original position of the planets and the division of the Zodiac. The seventh chapter mentions the exact distances of the planets from the Earth: the moon is considered the nearest; Saturn, the most distant. The eighth chapter deals with the altitudes of the planets. The ninth chapter discusses the influence of the heavenly bodies on earthly affairs. It is conceded that "the planets in themselves can not make for good or evil, unless empowered by God."

The older scholars considered the author of the Baraita to be the amora Samuel bar Abba, who, according to the statements in the Talmud, was a great astronomer (it is doubtful whether Kuzari, iv. 29, refers to an actual astronomical work of Samuel, or to his astronomical knowledge). The newer editions have Samuel ha-Ḳaṭan as the author. This is hardly based on a tradition, but rather is due to a combination of the name "Samuel" with Samuel ha-Ḳaṭan, who is mentioned as possessing knowledge of the Ibbur (Sanh. 11a). These suggestions of names have no material value. The very contents and language of the Baraita contradict the assumption that it is the work of amoraim or tannaim. Moreover, ch. v. designates the year 4536 (=776 C.E.) as the one which, with but a slight difference, resembles the year of the Creation. The courses of the sun and moon, leap-years, and Teḳufah will repeat themselves, and calculations must begin anew from this year.

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