Philosophy:Anthropomorphism/2

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Anthropomorphism

Exegetical Approaches

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Hashem Can Be Corporeal1

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"
Prophets seeing Hashem
"בְּצַלְמֵנוּ כִּדְמוּתֵנוּ" – R. Moshe Taku cites these verses a proof that Hashem has a body.

Hashem Is Not Corporeal

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.
Prophets seeing Hashem
  • Saw Hashem's glory – R. Saadia. All the prophets who saw Hashem just saw a bright light from where they heard Hashem. Moshe, who was on a different level, saw a larger light.
  • Prophetic visions – R. Chananel, Ibn Ezra, Rambam.  The prophets4 saw a figure in their imagination or dream, and thought they were seeing Hashem.  They did not actually see any physical vision.5
  • Intellectual understanding – Ralbag.  The prophets got hold of and achieved partially an understanding of Hashem and his actions.
"בְּצַלְמֵנוּ כִּדְמוּתֵנוּ" – The commentators suggest multiple ways of rereading these verses as not to imply that Hashem has an equivalent to a human body:
  • In Hashem's image
    • Humans have a partial similarity to Hashem –
    • The image Hashem chose for humans –
  • In the angels' / Moshe's image –