Zeftu@aol.co
asked:
<<what I really want is the Jewish concept of the Satan and
please give
some cites as to where in the Tenach this concept is
mentioned.>>
....as to where in the Tenach this concept is mentioned
A good starting place is the mentions of Satan in the beginning Chapters
of
Job (Chapters 1,2,3). The Ibn Ezra cites the well known statement
of
Chazal that -The following 3 are one and the same: -Satan -The Angel
of
Death(who is in charge of Killing) -The Yeser Harah(in charge of
temptation
to sin)
Thus conceptually we are told that 3 processes are the same: *
The
temptation to sin * The testifying against the sinner in the
Divine
court(Satan) * The sentence of death (by the Angel of death)
Another good source (which is obscure and not often brought) is
Rabbi
Samson Raphael Hirsch's commentary on Gen 4:6. Rabbi Hirsch explains
WHY
the Satan tempts:
He cites a midrash that when Satan tempts and people succomb the Satan
goes
to heaven to complain to G-d "Why are they listening to me and
sinning".
Rabbi Hirsch suggests that the purpose of Satan tempting is so that
we
should REFUSE his temptation (and thereby strengthen our moral
reserves).
Rabbi Hirsch also connects the word "conquest" used in Gen 4 and 3
with
regard to -the husband wife relationship -the person satan relationship
to
suggest that a a person's relationship with his inner passions
(Yeser
Harah) should be like a marriage...they suggest` but you should
have
dominance in the relationship.
I hope these two introductory ideas help
Russell Jay Hendel; Ph.d ASA Rhendel @ mcs drexel edu