Angels

[dauer]

Thipps,

to my understanding the references to demons in rabbinic lit is generally regarded as superstition picked up from the Babylonians, similar in fact to the way stories about demons show up in the middle ages. I would surmise the same is true for spirits, but I'm not certain. I'm talking about the Orthodox position. Again, BB's input would be helpful here.

Dauer

[thipps]

Originally Posted by dauer

Thipps,

to my understanding the references to demons in rabbinic lit is generally regarded as superstition picked up from the Babylonians, similar in fact to the way stories about demons show up in the middle ages. I would surmise the same is true for spirits, but I'm not certain. I'm talking about the Orthodox position. Again, BB's input would be helpful here.

Dauer

h| Dauer,
appreciate the reply. Thankyou for the info. Hopefully BB will come around some time in the near future.
Thanks again.
thipps.

[China Cat Sunflower]

Angels are connecting elements between the various worlds (spiritual realms). They are not beings, but motivations that control people, situations, or opportunities. They are the messengers of what we call good and bad luck in the world of Asiyyah (the physical world).

Rabbinical tradition (Genesis Rabbah 50:2) says that “an angel is never in charge of more than one mission, just as two angels are never in charge of the same mission. Each motivation is sent from one world to another towards a specific destination, because they were called upon from our dimension. In other words, any one of us could be seized by one of these motivations and become a messenger, a facilitator between worlds. We introduce certain people, or draw them towards opportunities, or because of something we do, someone is at a certain place at a certain time. …What happens is that we are part of the interconnections of this universe, and as such we become agents of luck, either good or bad. We are made into angels and fulfill our mission by mediating these motivations.

Motivations range from segulah (wealth) to zekhut (merit), and they may load us with plenty or confirm our lacks. In a Hasidic tale, the Keretzer Rabbi said, “When we help someone, we create the angel called Azriel (literally, Helper of God). When we contribute to tzedekah (justice), we create the angel called Tzadkiel (literally, Justice-maker of God).”

When we are aware of these interconnections, we send up to the other worlds intentions that will later come back as motivations. If we pay attention, we realize that these intentions are already motivations in this dimension. But it is only when they come back to us as angels, affecting us directly, that we notice their presence-to our great surprise.

This is the most frightening element of our reality. We discover that we are not always heading where we think we are, or for the reasons we believed. We are much more interactive than we imagined. This is such a dangerous insight that those who delve too deeply into it may experience emotional disturbances. The extent of our interactive essence is extremely disturbing to our sense of ego boundaries. But if on the one hand this realization unsettles us, on the other it makes for true understanding of certain (Cosmic) and life processes.

Rabbi Nilton Bonder, The Kabbalah of Money

I really like this explanation, and I'm wondering if it can be considered a "mainstream" Jewish understanding of the nature of angels.

Chris

Oh, I was just goofin' with the wing flapping propulsion thing, but I find it interesting that an angel would cover its genitalia...or that it would have genitalia in the first place. Hmmm...

[inhumility]

Originally Posted by peace4all

muslims believe in, but I wanted to limit this post to what the Koran says.

The Quranic concept of angels and what primarily they are ordained by God to do in all times past,present and future is amply described in following verse of Quran, Chapter 41 Ha Mim Al-Sajdah

41:31] As for those who say, 'Our Lord is Allah;' and then remain steadfast, the angels descend on them, reassuring them: 'Fear not, nor grieve; and rejoice in the glad tidings of the Garden which you were promised;
[41:32] 'We are your friends in this life and in the Hereafter. Therein you will have all that your souls will desire, and therein you will have all that you will ask for –
[41:33] 'An entertainment from the Most Forgiving, Merciful God.'
[41:34] And who is better in speech than he who invites men to Allah and does righteous deeds and says, 'I am, surely, of those who submit?'
[41:35] And good and evil are not alike. Repel evil with that which is best. And lo, he, between whom and thyself was enmity, will become as though he were a warm friend.
[41:36] But none is granted it save those who are steadfast; and none is granted it save those who possess a large share of good.

Thanks

[Netti-Netti]

I think angels also give us new emotional experiences that create new channels for understanding.

[GlorytoGod]

I'm sure a small one landed on my shoulder the other day and was blowing into my ear

and just remember that satan has his angels too and so not all angels are good !

[Amica]

Peace--
I do not know if any Muslims already answered this, but I will add this too:
Angels, according to Islaam, are made of Noor (the holy light). They have no genders, it is believed, but can appear in human form. They have wings, and depending on their status, they may have two, three, four wings. They are good beings who only follow what is commanded to them by God Almighty (cannot sin because they were not granted free will), they praise Him constantly.