I just read that Jewish people do not believe that the devil exists--Is that correct or am I reading it wrong?
2006-09-13 17:45:47 · 5 answers · asked by Sparkle1 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Off course you are wrong becuase every religion has a good and a bad guy just like movies. Good cannot be explained in absence of bad and hence devil is equally important.
2006-09-13 17:47:36 · answer #1 · answered by Mash 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Hebrew Bible (a.k.a. the "Old Testament") is the cornerstone of Judaism, so if Satan makes an appearance there, doesn't it logically follow that he exists in Judaism? Of course, we Jews have a different take on the issue of Satan (and many other topics) from that of Christian theologians.
Satan is an angel, and angels by definition can't rebel. They lack that free will that makes humans so special. In any event, he's just an angel with a dirty job. Namely, he's a lawyer (come on, don't act so surprised). No, seriously. HaSatan in Hebrew means "The Accuser," and HaSatan has the specific job of acting as the prosecuting attorney against the Jewish People in the heavenly court. He tempts people, and tests people, and then brings his evidence before the Ultimate Judge. He is not G-d's adversary, but his servant. The idea of any being whose power even comes close to posing a challenge to the Almighty is completely ridiculous to religious Jews.
Satan seems nasty, but he's really the Slugworth to G-d's Willy Wonka. In fact, that metaphor is the basis for a really good article on the subject. Check it out here, and get the real scoop on Satan in Judaism: http://www.beingjewish.com/basics/satan.html
2006-09-15 04:14:37 · answer #2 · answered by Daniel 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not Jewish but you have to remember, Jews like many other religions have different sects. Those who follow the Kabala for example dont believe in the devil per say, but more like God and the Devil are the flip sides of the same diety - or something like that. If you think of Starwars, the "Force" (light and dark sides) then that gives you a fair idea -BUT - does not reflect across the board in the Jewish religious beliefs.
2006-09-13 17:52:38 · answer #3 · answered by Victor ious 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We do believe that the devil exists, but we do not believe that he is the embodiment of all evil, like Christians and Muslims believe.
We believe that the "satan" is an angel of god, and nothing more.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060906120509AAF0o6Z
2006-09-14 08:18:26 · answer #4 · answered by yotg 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wrong, its Mel Gibson
2006-09-13 17:47:34 · answer #5 · answered by dababyispretty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋