Tree of Souls (Schwartz)

645 texts · Page 26 of 72

Texts from Howard Schwartz's Tree of Souls: The Mythology of Judaism, a landmark anthology gathering myths and legends spanning the full arc of Jewish tradition, from the creation of the world to the coming of the Messiah.

Elijah The Angel

Tree of Souls

The Bible tells us, in 2 Kings 2:11, "A fiery chariot with fiery horses suddenly appeared . . . and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind!" But what happened after that whirlwind...

CreationAngelsHeavenMessiah

The Keeper Of The Book Of Records

Tree of Souls

He’s not exactly a household name, even in well-versed Jewish circles, but this heavenly prince has a pretty important job. He's the Keeper of the Book of Records. Think of it as t...

CreationAngelsHeavenAdam & Eve

The Angel Gallizur

Tree of Souls

One intriguing answer involves a rather obscure, but incredibly important angel: Gallizur. Now, Gallizur isn't exactly a household name like Michael or Gabriel. But according to so...

AngelsAdam & EveMysticismMerkavah

The Angel Of Conception

Tree of Souls

Jewish tradition has a fascinating answer, a story whispered through generations about an angel named Lailah. Lailah, the Angel of Conception, is like the midwife of souls. Accordi...

CreationAngelsDemonsHell/Gehenna

The Angel Of The Covenant

Tree of Souls

It's so much more than just a physical act; it’s a profound moment steeped in tradition, faith, and ancient promises. And at the heart of it all stands a powerful, unexpected figur...

CreationAngelsHeavenHell/Gehenna

How Rabbi Ishmael Was Conceived

Tree of Souls

They say he was so strikingly handsome, he resembled an angel. And his story, well, it begins a bit like a fairy tale. His parents, you see, had longed for a child for many, many y...

CreationAngels

The Angel Of Friendship

Tree of Souls

Jewish tradition holds a beautiful, almost whimsical idea about friendship: that it actually creates an angel. It’s said that each of us has a unique light burning for us in the wo...

CreationAngelsHeavenTorah

Guardian Angels

Tree of Souls

Like there's someone... or something... watching over you? Well, Jewish tradition has a fascinating answer for that feeling: guardian angels. But these aren't the cherubic, winged ...

AngelsJudgment

The Might Of The Angels

Tree of Souls

Jewish tradition grapples with this feeling too, often through stories of angels – beings of immense power, but always, always subservient to God. What does it mean to say somethin...

AngelsDemonsHeavenAdam & Eve