tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post6978964730685096491..comments2024-03-18T03:40:39.185-04:00Comments on The Curious Jew: Saul & DavidChanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655144434904957767noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-72451522709952660272009-06-29T04:44:25.218-04:002009-06-29T04:44:25.218-04:00Satan has three roles, one being the yetzer harah,...Satan has three roles, one being the yetzer harah, one being the prosecutor in heaven when we do something wrong, and the final being the malach hamavet. <br /><br />the Satsn being a malach, a messenger if you will, has a job, and once given the job will carry it out as directed by G-d. But to suggest the Satan/Malach HaMavet has a personality, has any choice of its own would be a pretty big assumption. An angel does as it is told, no more. However we do see episodes in the gemarah and tanach, where the Angel of Death has debates with G-d about bringing catastrophe on people such a Job or on the entire nation, for exmaple when destroying Jerusalem, but these are not to be taken literally, as in reality it is G-d, Ein Od Milvado, having the debate but it is presented as a G-d vs. Satan argument. <br /><br />I do not have a Sefer Shmuel nearby but i would recommend looking at the artscroll Rubin Edition of the Early Prophets for insight into the nature of Sauls Ruach Ra'ah (and by the way we do view the ruach Ra'ah as a remnant of our "death" overnight whilst sleeping, so that could be a connection to the Satan) but perhaps the ruach ra'ah is just a name given to his depressed state of mind, which is not ideal, mitzvah gedolah lihiyot besimcha, and all!<br /><br />finally in realtion to the female personification of the Angel of Death, i would suggest reading about Lilith, a Demon, but be careful where you look as Lilith is found in many other cultures and religions.<br /><br />Hope that helps.fear from love.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07761223979055967071noreply@blogger.com