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

"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"

Anthropomorphism

Uniqueness of Moshe's prophecy

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