Akatriel-Yah

Contributed by Rabbi Geoffrey W. Dennis

A super-angelic figure mentioned in Talmud Ber. 7. In this passage he is seen sitting on the Throne of God and the voice of God speaks through him. This enigmatic passage has been subject to much interpretation; some scholars regard Akatriel to be yet another name for Metatron, while others theorize that perhaps Akatriel is the personification of God's Glory.

Extra-Talmudic texts only deepen the confusion. One angel-adjuring text includes Akatriel in a list of seven angels. On the other hand, a Cairo Geniza fragment clearly regards Akatriel-Yah to be a name of God.

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