Questions tagged [malach-angel]
Relating to Angels in Judaism.
152
questions
1
vote
0answers
49 views
What is the Samach Mem?
I hear Chassidic stories that the Samach Mem causes Jews to fight, and other evil
What is it? What is it's goal? What is it's powers? Why did G-d Almighty creat it?
Where can I read more about ...
2
votes
0answers
45 views
Why would G-d let angels speak on His behalf?
In regards to this question of mine I would like to ask:
In Genesis 18:10 it seems that one of the men/angels visiting Avraham is saying that Sarah will give birth to a son, while in Genesis 18:14 it’...
1
vote
0answers
86 views
Why not name a Jew “Lot”? [duplicate]
I never heard of a Jew named Lot. Are there not any? Why not? What did Lot do that disqualifies him?
His righteousness and (exaggerated) hospitality allowed him to be spared the fate of Sodom. ...
3
votes
0answers
42 views
Why does Rashi say Avraham thought the angels were wayfarers?
Rashi on Breishis 18:16
And the men arose from there, and they looked upon Sodom, and Abraham went with them to escort them,
says
to escort them: Heb. לְשַׁלְּחָם, to escort them. He thought ...
0
votes
2answers
121 views
Judging whether a rabbi resembles an angel
THe previous question "How should a rabbi resemble an angel" asked for the qualities a Rabbi should possess in order to be worthy of learning Torah from him. The Gemmarah prescribes that a rabbi must ...
-1
votes
4answers
160 views
How should a Rabbi resemble an angel?
The Gemmorah in Moed Katan 17 says:
א"ר יוחנן... אם דומה הרב למלאך ה' יבקשו תורה מפיו
ואם לאו אל יבקשו תורה מפיו
Rabbi Yoḥanan said as follows: ... If the teacher is similar to an angel [...
4
votes
2answers
117 views
Who opposes saying the Piyut מכניסי רחמים?
There is a long standing debate surrounding the piyut "מכניסי רחמים" which is said during selichot (words found here). The piyut is addressed to angels and the text aims to elicit the attributes of ...
3
votes
1answer
64 views
Why are the angels enjoined to leave at the end of “Shalom Alechem”? [duplicate]
Shalom Alechem, sung before the Shabbat Eve meal, concludes with:
Tzetchem leshalom -- depart in peace.
Why are the angels specifically enjoined to leave before the meal begins? I have heard that,...
2
votes
2answers
60 views
Meaning of Targum's translation of Seraph - קליא
In Parshas Chukkas, God commands Moses to make a Seraph and put in on a standard:
וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֶל־מֹשֶׁה עֲשֵׂה לְךָ שָׂרָף וְשִׂים אֹתוֹ עַל־נֵס וְהָיָה כָּל־הַנָּשׁוּךְ וְרָאָה אֹתוֹ וָחָי׃
...
2
votes
1answer
63 views
What is the meaning of “וְדַעַת קְדֹשִׁים בִּינָה”?
The book of Mishlei contains deep wisdom with many layers of meaning which is often hard to grasp. Fortunately, such great commentators as Rashi provide clear explanations of the true meaning. However,...
0
votes
2answers
298 views
Do Angels (Still) Keep the Torah?
Both the pious pre-Talmudic Book of Jubilees1 and the Talmudic Gemara2 agree that Angels kept the Torah in Heaven long before it was finally revealed through Moses to the people of Israel.3 My ...
0
votes
2answers
115 views
Metatron an emanation from G-d?
What did Rabbi Simeon claimed when he said that ‘Metatron is a man in the image of G-d’, ‘an emanation from/of Him’?
Rabbi Simeon ben Jochai commenting on the Zohar:
“There is a perfect Man, who ...
0
votes
3answers
48 views
Do angels make requests of G-d?
Do angels make any requests of G-d besides praising and thanking Him?
5
votes
2answers
49 views
Why was it specifically Gavriel who is Hashem’s messenger to guide events?
Among all of the Malachim, Gavriel seems disproportionately involved in human events:
He was responsible for saving Chananiah, Mishael, and Azariah from the fiery furnace (Berachos 4b, Pesachim 118a-...
-2
votes
1answer
59 views
Did G-d and angels appeared dressed or naked to Adam in Eden?
First, we know that Adam and Eve were naked in Eden and didn't feel ashamed (Ber 2.25).
"וַיִּהְיוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם עֲרוּמִּים הָאָדָם וְאִשְׁתּוֹ וְלֹא יִתְבֹּשָׁשׁוּ׃
The two of them were naked, ...
0
votes
1answer
43 views
Why angels are needed in a monotheistic religion? [duplicate]
Moshe's questions about angels made me think:
We see that G-d "acts" in the world either through angels (Sdom) or by "Himself" with no intermediator (Exodus).
Why angels are needed at all in a ...
0
votes
0answers
46 views
Source for R' Soloveitchik's teaching about why we don't stand for a baby in utero?
There's a famous teaching from Niddah 30b that a baby is taught the entire Torah in utero.
Someone once referenced this gemara and asked The Rav, if that's the case why don't we stand for a pregnant ...
-1
votes
2answers
105 views
Where is Heaven located?
God is infinite, omnipresent, beyond time and space, but what about angels and heaven? Surely they have limitations with regard to time and space?
In the (Tehilas hashem) siddur, before Shema, it ...
1
vote
2answers
84 views
Why does HaShem say, “I rebuke you Satan” in Zech 3:1-2.?
If Satan is obedient to G-d and works under his authority, why did HaShem reprimand him in Zechariah 3:1-2?
-1
votes
2answers
110 views
5
votes
1answer
62 views
Does the Midrash say we have guardian angels?
The Midrash quotes Rabbi Hama on the story where Jacob wrestled an angel but, not just any ordinary angel, but the guardian of Esau. Needless to say, Maimonides, I think said it was a symbolic ...
7
votes
0answers
96 views
How did the angel in “בבואו מאדום” Zemer make three mistakes?
I have always been puzzled by "בבואו מאדום" Zemer that many sing at Seuda Shlishis (actually found in the Bentcher as part of "Boruch Hashem Yom Yom"):
בְּבוֹאוֹ מֵאֱדוֹם חֲמוּץ בְּגָדִים, זֶבַח ...
0
votes
0answers
77 views
Is the one who fights with Jacob in Genesis 32: 25-31 a simple emissary of Esau according to a current of Jewish tradition?
I am an Italian noahide.
I read the following words written by an Italian Orthodox Jew about the figure of one who fights with Jacob in Genesis 32: 25-31
This figure is defined by the tradition "...
9
votes
3answers
125 views
Why are there angels?
I understand that the translation of the Hebrew word מלאך means "messenger" and an angel is "G-d's messenger."
We see angels mentioned in various roles. Frequently, angels appear in dreams. Sometimes,...
2
votes
1answer
84 views
Eisav's angel fought Yaakov. Why Eisav's angel and not Gavriel?
I saw this dvar torah in a forum.
"וַיֵּאָבֵק אִישׁ עִמּוֹ" (לב/כה) פירש רש"י ז"ל : "הוא שרו של עשיו"
שואלים: בפסוק הנאמר על יוסף "וַיִּמְצָאֵהוּ אִישׁ וְהִנֵּה תועֶה
בַּשָּׂדֶה" (לז/טו) אומר ...
1
vote
1answer
132 views
Angels Frequently Visiting Avraham
Rashi (Bereishis 16:13) notes that Hagar wasn't frightened to see angels because she normally saw angels frequenting Avraham's household:
לְשׁוֹן תֵּמַהּ; וְכִי סְבוּרָה הָיִיתִי שֶׁאַף הֲלוֹם ...
2
votes
2answers
129 views
Guests are masters?
Rashi to Genesis 19:2 said that Lot called the angels his masters because:
"וַיֹּאמֶר הִנֶּה נָּא־אֲדֹנַי סוּרוּ נָא אֶל־בֵּית עַבְדְּכֶם וְלִינוּ וְרַחֲצוּ רַגְלֵיכֶם וְהִשְׁכַּמְתֶּם ...
1
vote
1answer
54 views
Won’t let go unless you bless me
In the moment Yaakov is wrestling a adversary he says: ‘לא אשלחך כי אם ברכתני’, I wondered if there are any commentaries which reads this differently.
I noticed that Rabbi Hirsch connects the root ...
2
votes
1answer
60 views
Source for angels surrounding one’s bed at night?
Nusachei Ashkenaz and Sefard include the following phrase in Krias Shema at bedtime:
בשם ה׳ אלקי ישראל מימיני מיכאל ומשמאלי גבריאל ומלפני אוריאל ומאחורי רפאל ועל ראשי שכינת קל
In the Name of ...
4
votes
3answers
93 views
Angel helping to find a proper wife?
At one point in time Avraham asks his servant Eliezer to go out and search a wife for his son.
In Bereshit 24:7 Avraham tells him that HaShem will send His messenger (malach) before him.. Eliezer ...
0
votes
1answer
24 views
How to define the Malach Panav from the book of Isaiah?
In Yeshayahu 63:9 there’s a mention of a ‘malach panav (מַלְאַךְ פָּנָיו)’, why is this malach refered to in this kind of way; why this specific entitlement; what does the combination of the words ...
0
votes
0answers
127 views
Malach HaShem, Malach HaElohim and the way it presents itself
I’ve a question about Shemot 14:19 in which the malach ha’elohiem (מלאך האלהים) is mentioned.
This verse explicitly says that this messenger who went before the camp, removed and went behind them ...
8
votes
1answer
716 views
Can a person who died count to a minyan?
There are many stories, such as an account that one year when there was a person missing for the minyan in Chevron for the Yamim Neoraim Avraham Avinu showed up to be the tenth, (an angel? with Rav ...
1
vote
1answer
70 views
What is the minimum number to comprise a band (גדוד)?
At the end of parsha 20 in Pesikta Rabbati, it refers to various bands (גדוד) of angels being shown to Moshe. Is there any minimum number as defined in Torah as to how many comprise a band?
3
votes
0answers
37 views
Can an angel perform multiple agencies?
Bereishis Rabbah 50:2 states that one angel cannot perform multiple tasks:
אין מלאך אחד עושה שתי שליחות ולא שתי מלאכים עושים שליחות אחד.
One angel cannot perform two agencies, nor can two ...
3
votes
1answer
59 views
What are the angels doing in the blessing on light?
In the Yotzer Ohr prayer, we praise God for creating the light. It then moves on to an interlude about the ministering angels. What does that have to do with the light?
4
votes
0answers
53 views
Why did the angel who destroyed Sodom have to visit Avraham? [duplicate]
רש"י בראשית \ וירא יח,ב
והנה שלשה אנשים אֶחָד לְבַשֵׂר אֶת שָׂרָה וְאֶחָד לַהֲפֹךְ אֶת סְדוֹם וְאֶחָד לְרַפְּאוֹת אֶת אַבְרָהָם, ... וּרְפָאֵל שֶׁרִפָּא אֶת אַבְרָהָם הָלַךְ מִשָּׁם לְהַצִּיל אֶת ...
2
votes
1answer
114 views
Can Angels “fall”?
According to this answer, the Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer (among other works) references an idea that angels "fell" -- were somehow separated from their holiness and "became" human.
This answer states ...
2
votes
1answer
118 views
Source that Song of Songs was spoken by the Cherubs in the temple
In a sermon on Passover a guest Rabbi stated that Song of Songs was actually the conversation spoken by the Cherubs in the Holy of Holies. He quoted a 'Rabbi Heller' in the latter's introduction to a ...
0
votes
1answer
161 views
Please specify the identity and function of Metatron in Judaism
The title is pretty much self-explanatory. I know that Christianity doesn't support the existence of Metatron, as the Scripture in which Metatron is mentioned isn't a part of the Christian Bible. ...
2
votes
0answers
156 views
Why did Metatron receive 60 lashes?
In the story of the 4 who entered Pardes (Chagigah starting on 14b) it says that Elisha ben Abuyah saw Metatron the angel sitting and therefore became a heretic. In order to show Elisha that Metatron ...
3
votes
1answer
147 views
Is it possible to lodge an appeal for a soul that has gone to Gehenom?
Unsong is a work of online serial fiction by Scott Alexander which is based heavily on Judaism. (I highly recommend it to Jews and Gentiles alike.). As I discussed in my earlier question here, the ...
0
votes
0answers
65 views
How could the angel of the sea disobey?
The Midrash in Bamidbar Rabbah 18:22 expounds Iyov 26:12 that when HaShem created the world, he told Rahav, the angel in charge of the ocean, to "open his mouth and swallow all the waters of Creation" ...
2
votes
1answer
71 views
Source for exclusively learning/seeking Torah from someone whose face is glowing like an angel?
I remember several times coming across a text that asked something along the lines of:
"Who should one seek/learn Torah from?"
or
"How does one know whether to seek/learn Torah from a certain Rabbi?"
...
1
vote
0answers
52 views
Does a killer with permission lose his צלם אלקים?
Haamek Davar (ad loc.) explains that צלם אלקים (in Genesis 1:26–27) refers to an angel, also called a person's מזל, which envelops each of us and protects him from harm. He (to 4:14) explains further ...
0
votes
2answers
100 views
Is there any mention in Tanach of Angels have the ability to shapeshift into a human form
Is there any mention in Tanach of Angels have the ability to shapeshift into a human form?
I ask because Matthew Henry Commentary says:
18:1-8 Abraham was waiting to entertain any weary traveller, ...
1
vote
1answer
133 views
Are there descriptions of angels as female?
Are there any examples in tanach, talmud or midreshay chazal of an angel(s) who are described specifically as being female?
2
votes
0answers
50 views
Looking for a Maggid Meisharim with footnotes/he'arot
I'm looking for an edition of Rav Yosef Karo's Maggid Meisharim that has footnotes as well as some sort of scholarly historical background to the sefer. Does anyone know of something like that?
4
votes
1answer
161 views
Maggidim (angelic mentors) in Jewish history. How new is it?
Did the phenomenon of "maggidim" (celestial/angelic mentors) who come to teach a person kabbalistic mysteries and other revelations, but begin with those who studied Lurianic kaballah in the 1500's - ...
2
votes
1answer
135 views
Michoel/Gavriel Wrestling Yaakov
Although Rashi follows Chazal in identifying the angel which wrestled with Yaakov as the Sar (archangel) Shel Esav, the Yalkut Shimoni (132), Zohar Bo (51b), and the Pirkei D'Rav Elazar all identify ...
