Does satan play a role in judaism?

Question

We know he plays a big role in christianity, they say he is always there to fool people and to make them comit sins and everything, but does he play any part in the jewish religion?

Answer 1

No. In Hebrew 'satan' means 'adversary', and 'ha satan' as a character in our theology, resembles more a prosecuting attorney! It is always made clear that he is less powerful than G-d.
We don't have any 'devil' figure that equates with the 'Satan' of Christianity.

For more info, a great site is: http://www.whatjewsbelieve.org/ - it compares Judaism and Christianity and shows how different they are :)

EDIT TO IRLANDES

Please get it straight :) We are NOT 'branches of the same tree'. Christianity contradicts almost all that Judaism stands for. The NT has no bearing on Judaism whatsoever, and nor does Jesus.

Answer 2

Heathen Princess has given a good summary of how Judaism views "ha-Satan", the original Hebrew which translated means "The Adversary"; note that it's "The Satan" and not "Satan". And the bit about needing to be greedy--yes, that's a story from the Talmud. In a nutshell, the story goes that the Jews captured ha-Satan once and didn't know what to do with him, so they put him in a barrel for three days. During that time, none of the "greedy" activities occurred anywhere in the world--so, realizing his necessity, they blinded him and let him go.

Answer 3

It's a completely different role than in Xianity. In Judaism, HaShaytan is "the adversary" and is usually thought to be the prosecuting attorney when you die and are on trial for the actions of your life. (You have a good defense attorney too, though.) In Judaism, he's not responsible for the bad things in the world or your actions. Anything bad you do comes strictly from yourself, from the yetzer ra, the bad impulse.

Peace

Answer 4

I've heard that in the early days he was an angel that enlightened humans by trial and tribulation, this seems to make the most sense when you read Job.

It is clear that the role changed over time both for Jews and Xians. I'll read the link above mine in a bit, it sounds interesting.

Answer 5

Yes. You have to remember that the Old Testament is really The Torah. It is has different names and the order of the Books is different but it is still basically the same. So, like the Book Of Job, is one of the major scenes that has the devil playing a role in the life of man. Also in the books of Isaiah and Ezekiel. Daniel has some parts of the devils contributions as well as Zecheriah. Oh and he is there to try to influence us against following God's Plan. He can not "make" us do anything. Just a strong influence, unless of course we yeild completely to him and end up possessed. Which yes can happen in this day and age. People just don't want to admit it. God is so much bigger than anything that the devil can even try to trough at us and it is up to us to have the faith to stand against his attacks. It is God that fights on our behalf, but we do have to stand on God's Word. Sounds simple but it can be work. When the battle is over, God grants us a greater blessing than ever for standing by Him.

God Bless

Answer 6

Yes, but in a different manner. It's just a Hebrew word for adversary. Not one person, as far as I know.

I'll ask my Jewish coworker later.

Answer 7

will SOMEbody just realize that Satan only exists relative to Christ. Satanism needs Christianity to exist. HALLO

Answer 8

I think you got things a little twisted.....

first of all , satan does not have any POSITIVE role in judasim or christianity

second....he is an enemy to these religions.

third...he is everyone's enemy....whether they have a religion or not.

Answer 9

I don't know the answer to it, but will star it, what an interesting question!

Answer 10

Absolutely! They are different branches of the same tree!