Seeing Hashem/2

Seeing Hashem

Exegetical Approaches

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Direct Revelation of Hashem

At times, Hashem directly reveals himself, allowing humans to glimpse God Himself.

Sources:RashiShemot 24:10-11Vayikra 16:2Devarim 34:10Yechezkel 1:1About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, RashbamBereshit 48:8Shemot 24:10-11Shemot 33:18About R. Shemuel b. Meir

Prophetic Vision

Hashem reveals himself to mankind only via prophecy.  Any image of God that they see is only in a prophetic dream.

Sources:R. Saadia Gaon, Ibn EzraBereshit First Commentary 12:7Shemot First Commentary 13:21Shemot First Commentary 16:7Shemot First Commentary 24:10-11Shemot First Commentary 33:18Shemot Second Commentary 13:21Shemot Second Commentary 16:6Shemot Second Commentary 24:10-11Shemot Second Commentary 33:20-21Shemot Second Commentary 33:20-21Vayikra 16:2Devarim 5:4About R. Avraham ibn Ezra,

לֹא יִרְאַנִי הָאָדָם וָחָי

Revelation to Avot: "...וַיֵּרָא י״י אֶל"

Revelation at Sinai

Shemot 24: וַיִּרְאוּ אֵת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל

"וְרָאִיתָ אֶת אֲחֹרָי"

"'כְּבוֹד ה" – R. Saadia suggests that mentions of "hashem's glory"

וַי״י הֹלֵךְ לִפְנֵיהֶם יוֹמָם בְּעַמּוּד עָנָן

Anthropomorphism

Uniqueness of Moshe's prophecy

Cognitive Experience

When Torah speaks of humans seeing Hashem, it refers to a cognitive experience, man's comprehending of some aspect of Hashem's nature.

Physical Manifestation of Revelation

provides man with a symbol of His glory, be it a light, cloud or fire.

Sources:R. Saadia Gaonin Otzar HaGeonim Berakhot 6bHaEmunot VeHaDeiot 2:9HaEmunot VeHaDeiot 2:10HaEmunot VeHaDeiot 3:5About R. Saadia Gaon

Angelic Mediation

Verses which speak of Hashem appearing to man refer not to Hashem Himself, but to an angel