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Beit Midrash
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Of course, we have no pretensions of actually understanding exactly what these seraphim, ophanim, and chayot hakodesh are. It is apparent from Chazal and from the early commentators that they represent parallel or even overlapping concepts (see Rambam, Yesodei Hatorah 2:7). We will take a quick look at the explanation of seraphim. The Targum renders the word into Aramaic as "the holy servants." Rashi and other Rishonim say, based on the root of the word, that their job was to burn.
The above has to do with what the prophets saw when they had visions of that which those who served Hashem were doing in the heavens. We see angels (malachim) appearing in our world, as messengers of Hashem, in many places in the Torah and Tanach. One appeared to Hagar in the desert (Bereishit 16:7). Another stopped Avraham from slaughtering Yitzchak (ibid. 22:11). Another appeared to Yaakov in Aram (ibid. 31:11). An angel gave instructions to Eliyahu (Melachim I, 19:5). David saw an angel hovering ominously over Yerushalayim (Divrei Hayamim I 21:16). In all of these places and all others, a malach is never described as having wings. In several of those we mentioned and in others (see Yehoshua 5:13) an angel was armed with a sword.
Our rabbis disputed what a malach represents. Rashi says that those who merit it can see them in daily life in the physical world, and that they indeed sometimes look like people. The Rambam and his camp of thinkers say that one can see malachim only in a prophetic vision. Some thinkers note that any being or thing that acts as an agent of Hashem can earn the title of malach. It can be a natural phenomenon, an animal, or even someone who is man-like.
How will the various opinions deal with the pasuk: "Hashem makes his malachim of spirit, His servants a glowing fire" (Tehillim 104:4)? Rashi says that the malachim, who were created on the second day, are spiritual beings, but they can take on physical attributes. The Rambam again says that they are things one can see only in a vision. According to the third approach, they can even be something physical that serves its Maker.
What is clear from all these sources is that there is no Jewish source for angels with wings.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
