Philosophy:Anthropomorphism/2

Anthropomorphism

Exegetical Approaches

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Hashem Can Be Corporeal

Sources:Merkavah Shelemah Shiur KomahMerkavah Shelemah Shiur Komah,¹ RashiShemot 7:4About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki,² R. Moshe TakuKetav Tamim (printed in Otzar Nechmad), scholars cited by RaavadHilkhot Teshuvah 3:7About R. Avraham b. David, scholars cited by R. Avraham b. HaRambamMilchamot HaSham pp. 48-75About R. Avraham Maimonides

Anthropomorphic verses – According to this approach it is expected that Tanakh should talk about Hashem as if he has a body.

Hashem is limited

"וְאֶל מִי תְדַמְּיוּנִי"

Seeing Hashem

Hashem Is Not Corporeal

Sources:R. Saadia GaonHaEmunot VeHaDeiot 2in Otzar HaGeonim Berakhot 6bAbout R. Saadia Gaon, R. Sherira GaonOtzar HaGeonim Chagigah 11b, R. Hai GaonOtzar HaGeonim Berakhot 59a, R. Yehuda HaLeviKuzari 1:88-89About R. Yehuda HaLevi, Ibn EzraShemot First Commentary 33:18Shemot Second Commentary 33:21About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, R. Yosef Bekhor ShorBereshit 1:26About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, RambamHilkhot Yesodei HaTorah 1:5Hilkhot Yesodei HaTorah 1:7-12Hilkhot Yesodei HaTorah 2:4Hilkhot Teshuvah 3:7Moreh Nevukhim 1:1Moreh Nevukhim 1:27Moreh Nevukhim 1:36Iggeret Techiyat HaMetimAbout R. Moshe b. Maimon

Anthropomorphic verses – Rasag, Rambam and R. Yosef Albo all explain these verses as a figure of speech.  They render the purpose of using such language, as to simplify for the nation so they will be able to relate more easily to Hashem.

Seeing Hashem

• Hashem's glory
• Intellectual vision

Bereshit 1:26-27

¹ It is disputed already by the Geonim if Shiur Komah holds authentic citations of R. Yishmael and R. Akiva or this was a later work attributed to them to gain popularity.

² Rashi's stance on the issue is unclear.  See