Is it true that in Judaism, there is no Satan figure?

Answer 1

There is also no hell.

Answer 2

Judaism has HaSatan ( the adversary) but that does not = the Christian Devil.

As others have noted HaSatan is an angel and an adversary to humans, not to God, in the Tanakh.

The word satan appears in the Hebrew Bible when simply translated as adversary a couple of times, but when referencing the angel of God, the prefix "ha" meaning *the* always appears. There is a very good web page that Rabbi Federow wrote explaining the difference between the Jewish concept of Satan and the Christian concept of The Devil ( or Lucifer )

Judaism is strictly monotheistic so there can be no entity that rules the underworld in opposition or contradiction to God or battles God ( that would give that entity the attributes of a deity )


http://www.whatjewsbelieve.org/

I HIGHLY recommend that page to anyone who wishes to understand the difference.

In addition, the Christian concept of hell can also be better understood by reading the rendition of the ancient Myth of Er in Plato's book, the Republic. You will see that it, too is a construct from a belief system far removed from Judaism and Torah.

Many of the beliefs and concepts of Christianity borrowed WORDS , terminology and outward appearance, from Judaism, but reassigned to those things different meanings, sometimes at complete contradiction to the tenets of faith through Torah.

Judaism teaches that God created everything ( meaning both good and evil ) and gave humans the ability to master our evil inclinations. HaSatan is the adversary to humans, not to God.

Many Jews believe that "the adversary" is simply a personification of our inclinations to evil. Judaism teaches us a path whereby through practice and study of application of Torah precept, we learn how to easier overcome the evil incliation..learn how to be accountable for our behaviors, accept responsibility when we do wrong, make amends and choose to do better in our walk with God through Tikkun Olam.
HaSatan is the outward projection and manifestation of the impulse to think for self alone and above all else with immediate gratification, If one believes that you are powerless to master the evil inclination IMHO that would make one an easy target for being led blindly.

Humans are more powerful than HaSatan in the Tanakh, and like all angels, have no ability or authority to do anything other than what God wills.

The Jewish belief is that angels were created first, immortal and without free will. Humans were created afterward, mortal and with free will. The human nephesh contains within it a potential for immortality, but the unrepentant soul dies. These are all different than what Christianity teaches.

Answer 3

Yes! The Satan you know from Christianity is a Christian invention. In Judaism, in the Torah, there is a character called "Satan" but not much about it is the same except the name.

The Jewish character (lets call it "Satan(J)") is an angel that Gd sends to tempt and test people. Satan(J) only does things we don't like or tempts us to do bad things to show us how strong we are or can be and such. Being an angel, Satan(J) cannot act independently of Gd, but can only do Gd's bidding. In Judaism, only humans have been given free will. That is exactly what is meant by "in Gd's image," the ability to reason, make moral choices, have free will.

If you look at any other mythology, a character that can do supernatural things independently of the main god is itself a god. The word 'god' doesn't mean "THE Lord;" it means supernatural and immortal and able to act independently of other gods, right? Apollo isn't omnipotent but is immortal, supernatural, and able to act independently of Zeus. So guess what? He fits the definition of a "god."

Well, the Christian character of Satan ("Satan(C)") is immortal, supernatural and able to act independently of Gd. Satan(C) sees into our hearts and can cause big and small things to happen. So guess what? Satan(C) is a second Gd, a god of evil. Christians can call Satan(C) an angel all they want but that is the ONLY way that Satan(C) is merely an angel. In every other way that character is a second god.

Satan(C) is a big part of the reason Jews reject converting to Chirstianity and resent the implication its teachings are rooted mainly in Judaism. For one thing, Judaism is monotheistic and must reject the two god system.

Also, J'ism rejects the idea that there is inherent evil, an evil force of any kind in the universe. "Evil" is simply the consequence of going against Gd's teachings. Bush does evil (among many other ways) by defying Gd's commandment to not murder. Therefore, Bush is being evil. No devil made him do it. He did.

That's about it for now.

-Glenn O.

Answer 4

There is a Satan figure, but he is much different than the Christian version.

The Jewish version does not have an angel named Satan who rebels against God, nor seeks to take over God's Kingdom, nor steal the souls of mankind, whatsoever.

Satan is one of God's angels who never disobeys God at all, and only does whatever God instructs him to. He is the angel that God uses when GOD wants to bring tests into our lives.

Satan is also the "prosecuting attorney" who brings our Book of Life before God when we die, again on God's orders, to bring up our failings while God brings up our successes.

We also do not have eternal burning hellfire. We have reincarnation, always have.

We also do not have the concept of Original Sin. That is a twisted Church misinterpretation of the story in Genesis, and this interpretation by the Church is irrelevant to Judaism.

Actually, Christianity and Judaism have very, very little in common in their doctrines and foundational beliefs. No Messiah born of a virgin nor does he acts as a human/god virgin blood sacrifice for sin. Wholly human, born of a married Jewish man and wife in the usual way, etc. etc. etc. No second coming, etc.

If you'd like to learn more about what Judaism is, please see:
http://www.jewfaq.org/toc.html

Answer 5

Julia D has definitely given the Jewish perspective. For us, Satan (actually, ha-Satan which means "the adversary" or "the accuser") is little more than a prosecuting attorney in the Heavenly Court. The old pitchfork-with-fire-and- brimstone is from another religion.

Answer 6

You find references to Satan in the Hebrew Scriptures.

For example, in 1 Chronicles 21:1 it reads "Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel."

Satan is also mentioned in Job and Zechariah.

Answer 7

Satan exists throughout the world, even in Judaism.

Answer 8

True. There really isn't much of a concept of Satan, hell, original sin, etc. It really isn't as focused on the afterlife - Judaism focuses much more on this life.

Answer 9

Of couse there is a Satan figure! At least, unless they started changing the old testament!

Hope this helps!!!!

Blessings!

Answer 10

Acording to Judaism hell is created by the world/ man kind.

Answer 11

yes there is becuae satan tested Eve as a serpant and thats in the torah