Relating to Angels in Judaism.
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8answers
792 views
Why are angelic icons not prominent in Judaism?
I learned that the song Shalom Aleichem is all about welcoming the Shabbat angels, and clearly angels are celebrated in Judaism. However I've noticed that images of angels are not very widespread in ...
10
votes
5answers
194 views
Why do the angels need a ladder?
We know the angels in Yaakov's dream go down and up a ladder but why do they need the ladder? Angels appear on earth and with Hashem throughout the Bible without a ladder.
10
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3answers
221 views
Jewish concept of angels
Judaism does not believe in the free will of angels. What is the scriptural evidence for that and since when has such belief been held within the Jewish community?
8
votes
3answers
131 views
What is the etymology of סמאל?
I've heard that סמאל (Samael, a "bad" angel) is related to the word שמאל (left). Is there any basis for this, and are there any other explanations for his name?
The Hebrew Wikipedia claims that it is ...
8
votes
2answers
220 views
What does the angel Gavriel represent?
In trying to come up with an answer to this question, I became aware that the angel Gavriel plays a common role in several aggados and midrashim. Not only in the midrash with Moshe and the burning ...
7
votes
3answers
258 views
What does “to confuse the Satan” mean?
There are several things we don't do in order "to confuse the Satan", like not blowing Shofar on Erev Rosh Hashana. How does it help? Does Satan not realize that Rosh Hashana
didn't pass yet? He ...
7
votes
3answers
142 views
Why is the Evil Inclination Called a “Fool”?
Koheles (4:13), (as explained by the Midrash Rabba) describes the Yetzer Hara (Evil Inclination) as "A king, old, and a fool".
It explains:
"...ולמה קורא אותו כסיל? שהוא מלמד לאדם דרך רעה...".
...
7
votes
1answer
100 views
Do angels have jealousy?
In a famous Midrash in Shab. 87a-b, the angels object to the Torah being given to humans, until Moshe proves that it is only relevant to humans because of their nature. In one example, he asks ...
7
votes
1answer
127 views
Free will a prerequisite for punishment?
I read that the angel Metat was subjected to 60 pulsei de-nura (Aramaic: פולסא דנורא "lashes of fire"). I have been taught that angels do not have free will. Did this angel act from free will or did ...
6
votes
2answers
98 views
Go in Peace - why are we sending the Angels away
On Friday night we welcome the angels by singing Shalom Aleichem the question is why do we tell them:
צֵאתְכֶם לְשָׁלוֹם מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁלוֹם מַלְאָכֵי עֶלְיוֹן
Essentially sending them away ...
6
votes
1answer
121 views
Magid Mesharim: How is it that the angel knew Aramaic?
There is a book called "magid mesharim" written by Maran Bet Yosef in Aramaic through the exact words of an angel. My issue with this is that we learned from some Gemaras (Shabbat 12b is one) that ...
6
votes
1answer
315 views
How were Achiman, Sheshai and Talmai “Sons of Giants”?
In Bamidbar 13:22, the Torah tells us that the spies saw Achiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the sons of Giants. Rashi tells us they were the descendants of Shamchazai and Azael, angels who fell from heaven ...
5
votes
5answers
470 views
5
votes
5answers
369 views
Arabic and Angels
The angels in Heaven are said to not be able to understand Aramaic because it represents a deviation from the Hebrew language. My question is: Do they understand the Arabic language (as is very close ...
5
votes
1answer
61 views
If no-one went to synagogue on Friday night, do the people at home sing “Sholom Aleichem”?
The Ashkenazi custom is to sing “Sholom Aleichem” when returning home on Friday night from the synagogue. The reason is related to the ministering angels who accompany a person home on Friday night ...
4
votes
3answers
152 views
Shalom Aleichem to angels?
The zemer "Shalom Aleichem" is obviously addressed to angels. The Tur (OC Siman 3) gives a short text to says before entering the bathroom: התכבדו מכובדים משרתי עליון, etc. (also obviously addressed ...
4
votes
3answers
138 views
Do angels sing?
After reading the last Tosfos on Chullin 91b ( http://hebrewbooks.org/shas.aspx?mesechta=31&daf=91b&format=text) I wondered if angels sing? Is there an explicit source in Tanach that they ...
4
votes
2answers
195 views
why did the angel fight with yaakov?
Why did hashem allow the angel to even fight with yaakov in the first place?
4
votes
1answer
69 views
Yaakov blessed the angel?
Vayishlach, perek 32, describes Yaakov's struggle with a "man" who many, including targum Yonasan (:25, :27, :29), explain is actually an angel. In pasuk 27 (as explained by Yonasan), Yaakov seeks a ...
4
votes
0answers
106 views
HaMalach HaGoel Osi
Why does Yakov ask the malach (angel) (actually it sounds more like a statement of fact - "he will...") who protected him from evil to bless Ephraim and Menashe? Also, do we find that this actually ...
4
votes
1answer
118 views
Do you have to listen to angels?
Does one now (or ever in the past) have to listen to the instructions of an angel? If so, would that include listening if the angel told you to violate a Torah commandment (either temporarily or ...
3
votes
1answer
76 views
Asking From Angels Borchuni Lshalom
Jews usaly do not ask angels for help as per the RAMBAM. He writes (in Sanhedrin, Perek 11) in the fifth Yesod ha'Emunah the prohibition against serving Avodah Zarah -- that not only should a person ...
3
votes
2answers
90 views
How can angels “give permission” to each other?
As I understood it, angels have no free will and strictly do those things G-d instructs them to do. But in the brachas preceding krias Shema, we say that the angels "all accept upon themselves the ...
3
votes
1answer
108 views
Tuesday and Friday nights
Bavli P'sachim 112:2 has a story of an angel of destruction who would work daily (see Rashash) until asked to quit. When she requested some time to work, the rabbi she was talking with allowed her ...
2
votes
1answer
119 views
Babies in the field Midrash
What is the source for the Midrash that says that in Egypt some babies were put into fields and saved by Malachim who looked like their fathers? Also, what is the context in which the Midrash is ...
2
votes
2answers
75 views
Can you explain the beginning of Pirkei D'Rebbi Eliezer chapter 4?
At the beginning of the 4th chapter of Pirkei D'Rebbi Eliezer, it states [my own translation]:
On the second day God created the heavens (rakiyah), the angels and the fire of flesh and blood ...
2
votes
2answers
108 views
What was Moshe Rabbeinus argument against the angels?
Breishis 18:8 says that Avraham served the angels milk and meat together. Rashi in the name of the Medrash says that it only seemed like they were eating. Medrash Shocher Tov Tehilim 8 says that one ...
2
votes
0answers
54 views
Is free will limited to humans?
Do other beings besides humans have free will? Perhaps animals have free will? What about angels?
Does the status of other types of beings' freedom of will affect us in any way?
1
vote
1answer
85 views
Why can we not say the names of certain angels aloud?
I have found in certain kabbalistic documents that contain names of angels there is an instruction not to say the names of those angels aloud - example with names in parenthesis. I realize we are not ...
1
vote
1answer
80 views
Saying names of angels
I've heard you shouldn't say the names of angels, except for the four that surround us at night.
What's the source and reason for this? Is it halacha or kaballah?
1
vote
1answer
41 views
Importance of Gavriel in Judaism
What is the status or rank or position or importance of Gavriel as an Angel in Tanach or Oral Law and what causes it to be at that position or rank?
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3answers
176 views
What's the ultimate fate of Satan?
Since Jews don't believe in hell for unbelievers, what will happen to Satan? Will he be punished for eternity?
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2answers
156 views
Do any Jewish sources mention Satan talking to a Jew?
Do any Jewish sources mention Satan talking to a Jew?
If so, how did the things that were said affect ancient Jewish life?
0
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1answer
58 views
Is the angel named uriel or oriel
There is a significant difference, where one means: my fire is of god's and the other means: my light is of god's.
Since the spelling is the same in Hebrew, it is not apparent from some sources what ...
-1
votes
3answers
124 views
