Page "Samuel of Nehardea" Paragraph 10

From the scattered references in the Talmud it is impossible to determine exactly Mar Samuel's proficiency in astronomy ; but he knew how to solve many mathematics problems and how to explain many phenomena.

He says himself: " Although I am as familiar with the courses of the stars as with the streets of Nehardea, I can not explain the nature or the movements of the comets " ( Ber.

58b ).

Samuel devoted himself especially to that branch of applied astronomy that deals with calendric science, which he taught to his colleagues and pupils.

His astronomical studies of the revolutions of the moon enabled him to predict the beginning of the month (" Rosh Chodesh ") as it was determined in Palestine, and he claimed to be able to remove the necessity of celebrating double holy days in the Diaspora ( R. H. 20b ; comp.

Rashi ad loc .).

He also computed a Hebrew calendar for sixty years, which he subsequently sent to R. Johanan, the head of the Palestinian teachers, as a proof of his knowledge ( Ḥul.

95b ).

He was called " Yarḥina ' ah " or " Yarhinai " (" yeraḥ "