Questions tagged [malach-angel]

Relating to Angels in Judaism.

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Source for God creating the world to test the angels/souls

Is there a jewish source (even remotely) simmilar to the following story: The angels/souls* in heaven were praising God, saying how awesome and great God is, but God said to them "you only ...
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The three messengers and Abraham

Talmud and Midrash give their explanation of the three angels that Abraham (be peace upon him) met in chapter 18 of Genesis. They both offer the same names for the angels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael....
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Was the angel Ya'akov fought Esau's Angel or Ya'akov's Yetzer ha-ra? Was the wrestling literal?

I discussed with someone recently the incident in Bereshis where Ya'akov wrestles with an angel. It quickly became clear that our understanding of that story was completely different as far as what ...
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Can angels become tamei?

What it says on the tin really. Are there any sources dealing with the question of angels and tumah?
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Did Avrohom own חמץ on פסח?

In Gensis 18 -6, when Avrohom hosted the angels, he told his wife to מַֽהֲרִ֞י שְׁל֤שׁ סְאִים֙ קֶ֣מַח סֹ֔לֶת ל֖וּשִׁי וַֽעֲשִׂ֥י עֻגֽוֹת: "Hasten three seah of meal [and] fine flour; knead and ...
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Parshat Lech Lecha - Hagar having a separate malach

Does anyone know a pshat in what is the depth behind Hagar having a separate malach for every single dibbur like Rashi brings, why couldn't there just be one malach for the whole story?
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Why do angels have wings?

Winged angels became probably the most ubiquitous depiction of all kinds of divine beings, based on Isaiah's vision (Isaiah.6.2) "Seraphs stood in attendance on Him. Each of them had six wings: ...
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What do the Nephilim represent? [duplicate]

There are some underlying beliefs around Nephilim that migtht make people feel uncomfortable, but I think are applicable and a pattern of human behavior, in particular human sexual behavior, of which ...
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How did Manoach not know he was speaking with an Angel?

In the passage in Shoftim chapter 13, Manoach and his wife speak with an Angel. His wife in verse 6 tells him she has spoken with an Angel. A few verses later, the verse says that Manoach didn’t know ...
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Chad Gadya Protects Us From Jealous Angels?

Someone told me in the name of Rav Ephraim Wachsman that after the angels see how much pleasure our Pesach Sedarim give Hashem, they become jealous, which creates an element of danger for Klal Yisroel....
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How Many Angels involved in the Purim Story?

Does anyone know how many angels were involved in the story of the Megillah? For example, one came to say about the tree, and one turned back the pages on the book by Shimshi. Thank you!
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If the nations' ministers are all appointed by Hashem, why is it idol worship? [closed]

I apologize if this is a stupid question, but I was pondering it today and I hope you will find it as interesting as I do. Every Rabbinic opinion I've seen, although there are plenty I haven't of ...
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Do angels serve God out of love?

There are plenty of sources that angels serve Hashem out of fear. However, are there any early sources that angels serve Hashem out of love? Is that something that humans are unique in doing? It seems ...
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What is the proper voweling (Nikud) for Metatron?

I have seen many variations of this and wonder if anyone could tell me which is the most correct? These variations include: מֶטָטְרוֹן‎‎ (Meṭāṭ'rōn) מְטַטְרוֹן‎ (Măṭaṭ'rōn) מֵיטַטְרוֹן‎ (Mēyṭaṭ'rōn) ...
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The angels who accused Yishmoel – what action were they suggesting?

Beraishis 21 (17) Hashem judges Yishmoel “בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא שָׁם " - “in that condition in which he now is”. The ministering angels according to the Medrash said, “Master of the Universe, for him ...
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Immanuel / Emmanuel the angel

I recently ran across a reference to the angel named "Immanuel" or "Emmanuel" ... it reads: Emmanuel ("God with us")-the angel in the fiery furnace who appeared beside ...
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Exhaling While Using an Angel's Name

This article quotes Rav Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky as saying There's an angel whose name is the same as the sound produced when you blow out with force. According to Kabbalistic tradition, it's ...
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Instances of Angels by name in Shas

I am curious about a list (does not need to be exhaustive) of various places where Angels are mentioned by name in Shas/Talmud. I am so far aware of two: the angels listed by name that visited ...
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Why did HaShem send an angel to speak to Avraham?

During the Akeida of Yitzchak, the Torah tells us twice that an Angel called out to Avraham. HaShem spoke to Avraham Avinu many times; why here was an angel used (twice!)?
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Why not mention angel's names? [duplicate]

The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch poskins (129:15) נוֹהֲגִין הָעוֹלָם לוֹמַר בֵּין הַסְּדָרִים יְהִי רָצוֹן וְכוּ', כְּמוֹ שֶׁנִּדְפַּס בַּמַּחֲזוֹרִים. וּצְרִיכִין לִזָּהֵר מְאֹד, שֶׁלֹּא לְהוֹצִיא בַּפֶּה ...
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Where do I find compassionate references to the Angel of Death

The references that I find to the malach hamoves, Angel of Death, in our folklore and tale are largely filled with images of fear and trepidation . Where do I find stories depicting compassion?
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Are angels made in the image of G-d?

In Genesis 1:26, we read: And G-d said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. They shall rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the cattle, the whole earth, and all the creeping ...
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Why were angels' names brought back?

Related. A well-known gemara in the Yerushalmi (Rosh Hashanah 6a) says: "רשב"ל אמר אף שמות המלאכים עלו בידן מבבל. בראשונה (ישעיהו ו׳:ו׳) ויעף אלי אחד מן השרפים (שם) שרפים עומדים ממעל לו ...
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Does Rashi refer to Arabs when describing the 3 people who visited Abraham?

The Torah writes (Bereshit 18:2) [Abraham] saw three men standing near him Rashi comments right after (on 18:4) כַּסָּבוּר שֶׁהֵם עַרְבִיִּים which can be translated "[Abraham] thought they ...
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Sources for the Rambam's hierarchy of angels

Traditional meforshim of Yechezkel 1 (for example, the Malbim) explain that the three often-mentioned classes of angels (ofanim, chayos and seraphim) correspond to the notions of the 3 lower worlds (...
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The presence of Angels when uncovered (source)

I can't remember exactly where I read this, but is it true that angels are not present when someone is uncovered? Is there a source for this?
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Do the current nations also have their own angels like the 70 from in the Torah?

Do the current nations (in 2021) also each have their own angel, like the 70 nations mentioned in the Torah?
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Is it acceptable to translate ‘hallelu’ and 'yah' into the English expression "Praise the Lord"

My understanding is that Hallelujah (or Alleluia) is a compound word from the Hebrew ‘hallelu’, meaning “to praise joyously,” and ‘yah’, a shortened form of the unspoken name of G-d. It is an active ...
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What's the relationship or difference between Azael and Azazel (עזא"ל vs. לעזאזל)?

Azael and Azazel seem similar or related. Is it that Azael is an accusing angel that occupies Azazel the rocky cliff that is associated with Esau - Seir(Goat, thus the YK goat to dispel) - the Accuser?...
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Why does the Torah not write about or mention the creation of the Angels/Melachim? When were they made?

It's something I've interested in for a while ;) Thank you!
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Adam wiser than angels - meaning and implications

אָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן מֶה הָיְתָה חָכְמָתוֹ? כְּשֶׁבִּקֵּשׁ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לִבְרֹאת אֶת הָאָדָם ... אָמַר לָהֶם אָדָם שֶׁאֲנִי רוֹצֶה לִבְרֹאת חָכְמָתוֹ מְרֻבָּה מִשֶּׁלָּכֶם, מֶה עָשָׂה כִּנֵּס ...
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Why did Hashem choose to give the message about Resurrection through Gavriel?

Shalom. I am having difficulty understanding why Hashem chose to deliver the definitive message about something as important as the Resurrection through an angel and not, directly, Himself (Daniel 12:...
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In Shemot 12:23, Was הַמַּשְׁחִ֔ית Ha-Mashchit (The-Destroyer) actually HaShem Himself or a Mal’ak?

In Shemot 12:23, Was הַמַּשְׁחִ֔ית Ha-Mashchit (The-Destroyer) actually HaShem Himself or a Mal’ak? After reading verse 23 in Exodus 12 : “For when YHVH goes through to smite the Egyptians, He will ...
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What might G-d's self identification as "the ruler of armies" be intended to express?

In divine dealings with Israel and the nations, we don't really see divine armies employed much. More often foreign armies are employed in order to punish Israel and bring her into exile. We do see ...
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What practical powers do angels have?

In Jewish theology, what practical physical powers do angels have? How far can they intervene in our world while on a mission? Are those powers linked to the "name" they have for their ...
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Is Satan a being or just a mission any angel could fulfill?

Midrash B"R quoted by Rashi (Genesis.32.30, and similarly Judges.13.18) says that: "We [angels] have no fixed names; our names change, all depending upon the service we are commanded to ...
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Joseph and Gabriel

What is the relationship between them? The rabbis say that Gabriel was the man that saw him being sent into slavery. He was also the one that taught him 70 languages. Further, Gabriel told him to ...
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Variable names for angels

The mysterious stranger with whom Jacob wrestled all night would not give his name. [Genesis 32:25-33] The Midrash [Genesis Rabbah 78:4] explains that the reason is that angels do not have fixed ...
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Who is Nuriel? (e.g. Solomon Ibn Gabirol's Shinanim piyut)

It seems to have been quoted in the piyut Shinanim by Solomon Ibn Gabirol (page 134 of the Spanish Portuguese Kippur service). In this piyut, Nuriel is mentioned. Who is he? What are his ...
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Who are the bene elim?

In Tehilim 29:1, it mentions the bene elim. Who are they? Please cite sources. It seems to have been quoted in the piyut Shinamim by Solomon Ibn Gabirol (page 134 of the Spanish Portuguese Kippur ...
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Angels Eating: The case of Avraham Vs Lot

I came across a fascinating Tanna D'Vei Eliyahu Rabbah (12:1) which states: וכל האומר לא אכלו מלאכי השרת עם אברהם אע"ה לא אמר כלום אלא בצדקתו של אותו צדיק ובשכר טורח שטרח בשבילם פתח להם הקב"...
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Did Avraham know the visitors were angels?

Related (among others) When the three men walk past Avraham's tent, he runs out to bring them in and feeds them (expressions of Mid-Eastern hospitality). Does he know (think, guess?) at any point that ...
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Is a Mezuzah an Angel?

While reading Tehillim 119:164 commentary on " שֶׁ֣בַע בַּ֖יּוֹם הִלַּלְתִּ֑יךָ ", the interlinear Schottenstein Edition stated : Midrashically this also refers to seven mitzvos with which ...
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What does sacrificing a soul mean?

The Talmud Bavli in Chagiga 12b mentions that there is a place where the angel Michael offers korbanos to Hashem. The Chiddushei Aggados commentary (can be seen on the above link on Sefaria) states a ...
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Is it permitted to have zodiac symbols in a synagogue?

Many shuls in Eastern Europe have painted zodiac symbols (albeit in a rather symbolic manner) on the walls or ceiling. However, it is stated directly in the Mishneh Torah that one may not draw the ...
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Original Nikud for Raphael?

רָפָאֵל or רְפָאֵל What is the original nikud? I have seen some variation before and wonder if the name should begin with Kamatz or Sheva? Thank you for any help you can give.
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Would it be forbidden to own images of angels?

Okay, I'll try be a little bit more specific. Say someone was in possession of an angelic figure(s), they did not create the figure, they ascribe no power to the figure, and they certainly don't ...
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Deformed Malachim through Mispronunciation of Words in Tefilah

There is a common saying that whenever one mispronounces a word in tefila, a deformed malach is created that will testify against him in Beis Din shel Mala. Does anyone have source for this? The only ...
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How these malachim became involved with the origins of idolatry?

Parsha Shelach 13:33 says the following: And there we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who come of the Nephilim; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. The ...
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Malachim of Nations constantly fighting?

I think recall learning about how the Malachim of different nations fight each other very often, like raging Bulls, and this causes wars in the Earthly realm between nations. What is the source for ...
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