Angels and Demons
Angels
Angels are beings residing in heaven who carry out Hashem's will. Angels serve the purpose of Hashem in specific circumstances such as wrestling with Jacob and are capable of doing only one job at a time (which is why there were three angels visiting Abraham). Angels do not have free will as humans do - even though Hashem may choose to give angels limited free will (such as allowing haSatan to tempt Job). Angels are generally thought of as protectors - each of the 70 nations of the world - as well as Israel - have a "guardian angel". Four of the most mentioned angels are Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael. Michael is the commander-in-chief of the angels and the guardian of Israel. Gabriel is the master of courage. Uriel is the angel of light. Raphael is the healing angel.
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Maimonides: Mishneh Torah
1. Chayot haKodesh
2. Ophanim
3. Arelim/Erelim
4. Chashmalim
5. Seraphim
6. Malakhim
7. Elohim
8. Benei Elohim
9. Cherubim
10. Ishim
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Zohar: Exodus 43
1. Arelim/Erelim
2. Ishim
3. Benei Elohim
4. Malakhim
5. Chashmalim
6. Tarshishim
7. Shinannim
8. Cherubim
9. Ophanim
10. Seraphim
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Maseket Azilut
1. Seraphim
2. Ophanim
3. Cherubim
4. Shinannim
5. Tarshishim
6. Ishim
7. Chashmallim
8. Malakim
9. Benei Elohim
10. Arelim/Erelim |
Demons
Demons are said to have been created at the twilight of the sixth day of Creation. They are without free will and may only do the bidding of Hashem. There are demons mentioned in the Bible. The se'irim are satyr-like demons to whom the Israelites had sacrificed (Leviticus 17:7). Azazel (Leviticus 16:10) is a goat-like demon of the wilderness to whom a goat is offered. He is probably the chief se'irim. Lilith (Isaiah 34:14) is also associated with the se'irim. The shedim are demons to whom the Israelites had sacrificed (Deuteronomy 32:17). "Rabbinical demonology has, like the Chaldean, three classes of, demons, though they are scarcely separable one from another. There were the "shedim," the "mazziḳim" (harmers), and the "ruḥin" or "ruḥotra'ot" (evil spirits). Besides these there were "lilin" (night spirits), "ṭelane" (shade, or evening, spirits), "ṭiharire" (midday spirits), and "ẓafrire" (morning spirits), as well as the "demons that bring famine" and "such as cause storm and earthquake" (Targ. Yer. to Deut. xxxii. 24 and Num. vi. 24; Targ. to Cant. iii. 8, iv. 6; Eccl. ii. 5; Ps. xci. 5, 6; compare Ps. lxx. and Is. xxxiv. 14). Occasionally they are called "mal'ake ḥabbalah" (angels of destruction) (Ber. 51a; Ket. 104a; Sanh. 106b)."[1]
