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Video class December 28, 2025 1 hr 7 min

Do Jews Believe in Angels? The Answer Will Surprise You

Did you know Judaism has 575,000+ references to angels? Discover the surprising truth about angels in Jewish tradition - it’s nothing like what most people think! In this comprehensive exploration, Rabbi Heschel Greenberg reveals what the Torah, Talmud, and Jewish mysticism really teach about these spiritual beings.

📚 In this transformative Torah exploration, discover: • Why Judaism absolutely believes in angels (but it’s not a “fundamental” belief like belief in God) • The shocking truth about Satan in Judaism - he’s not what you think! • How humans are actually SUPERIOR to angels despite our imperfections • The three primary angels: Michael (kindness), Gabriel (strength), and Raphael (healing) • Why angels don’t have free will and can never truly oppose God • How every good deed you do creates a protective angel • The secret to prayer that angels teach us: advancing and retreating (ratso v’shov)

Most Jews don’t realize that belief in angels is deeply rooted in authentic Jewish tradition, not borrowed from Christianity. This video dispels common misconceptions and reveals the profound spiritual wisdom hidden in Jewish angelology.

Rabbi Greenberg bridges ancient mystical teachings with practical modern applications, showing how understanding angels can transform your prayer life, help you navigate internal conflicts, and bring peace to challenging relationships. Through engaging stories, Talmudic wisdom, and Kabbalistic insights, you’ll learn why the “animal soul” needs to hear about angels, how prayer works like Jacob’s ladder, and why spiritual ecstasy must be balanced with grounded living.

This isn’t just theology - it’s a roadmap for living with both feet on the ground and your soul reaching for the heavens.

🕰️ Detailed Navigation:

📖 Primary Sources & References:

  • Genesis 3:24 (Cherubim guarding Eden)
  • Genesis 16:7-14 (Angel appears to Hagar)
  • Genesis 18:1-15 (Three angels visit Abraham)
  • Genesis 19:1-29 (Angels destroy Sodom)
  • Genesis 22:11-12 (Angel stops Isaac’s sacrifice)
  • Genesis 28:12 (Jacob’s ladder)
  • Genesis 32:25-30 (Jacob wrestles angel)
  • Exodus 3:2 (Burning bush)
  • Ezekiel 1:14 (Ratso v’shov)
  • Talmud, Shabbat 119b (Sabbath angels)
  • Talmud, Shabbat 12b (Aramaic and angels)
  • Talmud, Chagigah 14b (Four who entered orchard)
  • Zohar (Multiple references to angels)
  • Maimonides, Guide for the Perplexed (Angels as natural forces)
  • Maimonides, 13 Principles of Faith
  • Tanya (Alter Rebbe - animal vs. divine soul)

In this class

  1. 0:00Introduction: Do Jews Believe in Angels?
  2. 2:08Clearing Misconceptions: What Jewish Beliefs Really Are
  3. 5:05Angels in the Torah: Over 100 Biblical References
  4. 6:46What Angels Are NOT (No Halos or Harps!)
  5. 9:17Definition: Malakh = Messenger
  6. 10:58Do Jews Believe in Satan? Absolutely!
  7. 12:07Angels Have No Free Will
  8. 13:56Angels Taking Human Form
  9. 16:11Angels in Genesis: From Eden to the Binding of Isaac
  10. 18:11The Hasidic Controversy Story: Taking vs. Saving Life
  11. 21:10Jacob Wrestling the Angel
  12. 22:59Two Categories of Angels
  13. 27:16Angels as Channels of Divine Energy
  14. 29:03The Power of "Amen" (Numerical Value = Malakh = 91)
  15. 32:20Angels as Models of Devotion: Ratso V'Shov
  16. 35:05The Four Sages Who Entered the Orchard
  17. 36:00Jacob's Ladder: The Model of Prayer
  18. 40:04Angels as Spiritual Animals (Source of Animal Soul)
  19. 42:44Angels Polish Our Prayers
  20. 45:02Creating Angels Through Mitzvot
  21. 46:51Shalom Aleichem: Greeting Sabbath Angels
  22. 48:04Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael: The Three Primary Angels
  23. 51:03Maimonides: Angels as Laws of Nature
  24. 52:00Angels Complain (Very Jewish!)
  25. 55:05Humans vs. Angels: Who Is Superior?
  26. 57:03Humans Can "Travel" - Angels Only "Stand"
  27. 58:22Fallen Angels (Nephilim)
  28. 59:59Adam Names the Creatures: Superior Intelligence
  29. 1:00:12Praying to Angels? The Controversy Explained
  30. 1:01:44Q&A: Angels' Energy and Presence