Questions tagged [malach-angel]
Relating to Angels in Judaism.
222
questions
4
votes
1
answer
125
views
Malachim climbing ladders
When Yaakov Avinu has the dream of the malachim climbing the ladder,
Why do malachim need a ladder? Can't they fly or have some other form of supernatural transportation?
I thought that the reason ...
- 1,946
3
votes
3
answers
657
views
Why did Hagar go back?
This one has bugged me for a long time. Why would Hagar go back to a pressured existence especially when she was told that her son would become a wild man and a thief?
- 443
1
vote
2
answers
84
views
Were the malochim who visited Avraham human?
Based on this answer, there is plenty of evidence that malachim can be human. There is a widespread opinion that the 3 visitors who came to Avraham were malachim. Are there any opinions who agree ...
- 1,946
1
vote
2
answers
124
views
Can malochim be human?
The word malach technically means "messenger", as in a messenger/agent of Hashem. Does that mean that a malach necessarily has to be a supernatural being, or can it be a human, possibly ...
- 1,946
5
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How many angels are enough?
Abraham saw 3 angels [Gen. 18:2]. Lot saw 2 [Gen. 19:1]. Only 1 angel stopped Abraham from killing Isaac [Gen. 22:11]. Only 1 angel fought all night with Jacob [Gen. 32:25].
What is the significance ...
- 20.6k
3
votes
3
answers
224
views
Why did Abraham run to greet the visitors in Genesis 18?
Did he run because he knew they were angels?
Or did he run to exhibit hospitality to strangers in the desert?
0
votes
1
answer
87
views
Sons of God or Heavenly Council
Who were the sons of God in Job 1 & 2? Could we say that they are the council of the elohim referred to in Psalm 82? Also alluded to in Psalm 89:5-7, 1 Kings 22 and in Daniel 4 referred to as the ...
- 133
0
votes
0
answers
65
views
Etymology of the name Azriel?
A quick Google search shows that most people hold this is the angel of death. Where are the sources for this (or any other sources of the name)? If there is a source for this, are people naming their ...
- 198
2
votes
0
answers
50
views
כֻּלָּם אֲהוּבִים - further reading please
Every day in the berachot of Shema, we describe the angels who praise Hashem as כֻּלָּם אֲהוּבִים, all beloved. I would like further reading on this description of them. Anything: who they are, why ...
- 7,047
0
votes
0
answers
80
views
Angels on earth
Angels visiting earth is a common concept, which doesn't need sources.
Does anyone know the 'Physics' behind how the angels came to earth? Did anyone read anything interesting about this topic?
Was ...
- 884
2
votes
2
answers
491
views
Why can't we physically see angels in their material form anymore?
In the Torah, angels seem to appear physically several times. For instance, Jacob, physically I think, wrestles with an angel in Genesis 32:22-32, which indicates a material-physical form as far as I ...
- 805
0
votes
0
answers
71
views
Angels of impurity before marriage?
I cam across an article here stating that before we marry, each person has an 'angel of impurity' attached to them from birth.
https://www.dailyhalacha.com/WeeklyParasha.asp?ParashaClipID=754
I ...
- 263
1
vote
0
answers
54
views
Is R. Yehoshua ben Levi ever identified with a particular angel?
Related to this question:
Did Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi learn the Angel of Death's personal name?
We learn that Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi entered the Garden of Eden alive without dying.
This is ...
- 263
0
votes
0
answers
142
views
Who says angels have (only) male genitals?
At some point whilst reading up on the imagery of angels, I came across an essay detailing how at least one Rabbi in history claimed (as far as I remember) that angels basically came either with male ...
- 263
1
vote
1
answer
110
views
Angels and gentiles
Are there any passages in Rabbinic literature that discuss angels and gentiles?
Are there any statements that suggest that angels were created specifically by God only for Israel and not for the ...
- 355
0
votes
0
answers
45
views
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 ...
- 179
1
vote
0
answers
73
views
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....
- 21
0
votes
1
answer
48
views
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 ...
- 297
1
vote
0
answers
49
views
Can angels become tamei?
What it says on the tin really.
Are there any sources dealing with the question of angels and tumah?
- 2,216
1
vote
1
answer
90
views
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 ...
- 169
1
vote
1
answer
53
views
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?
- 237
1
vote
1
answer
130
views
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: ...
- 25.7k
1
vote
2
answers
201
views
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 ...
- 97
1
vote
1
answer
258
views
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 ...
- 839
0
votes
2
answers
131
views
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....
- 13.7k
0
votes
1
answer
108
views
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!
- 593
6
votes
3
answers
463
views
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 ...
- 371
4
votes
0
answers
66
views
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 ...
- 5,355
5
votes
0
answers
181
views
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)
...
- 339
1
vote
0
answers
63
views
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 ...
- 47.1k
0
votes
1
answer
300
views
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 ...
- 342
3
votes
0
answers
87
views
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 ...
- 13.7k
1
vote
3
answers
136
views
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 ...
- 830
3
votes
1
answer
119
views
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!)?
- 830
0
votes
0
answers
56
views
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 ...
- 13.7k
0
votes
1
answer
119
views
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?
- 157
2
votes
2
answers
268
views
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 ...
- 3,342
2
votes
1
answer
156
views
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 ...
- 24.8k
4
votes
3
answers
470
views
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 ...
- 47.5k
5
votes
2
answers
290
views
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 (...
- 3,017
1
vote
1
answer
68
views
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?
user25409
4
votes
0
answers
146
views
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?
- 41
4
votes
1
answer
147
views
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 ...
- 463
1
vote
1
answer
755
views
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?...
- 1,779
3
votes
1
answer
202
views
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!
- 87
0
votes
0
answers
36
views
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 ...
- 25.7k
1
vote
0
answers
67
views
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:...
- 1,376
2
votes
1
answer
167
views
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 ...
- 1,378
2
votes
1
answer
59
views
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 ...
- 1,226
1
vote
0
answers
60
views
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 ...
- 25.7k