anan

Contributed by Rabbi Geoffrey W. Dennis

"cloud." As visible heavenly objects, clouds are often associated with supernatural phenomena. God rides upon the clouds.¹ When God becomes manifest on earth, clouds obscure what is happening.² The angels too manifest themselves as cloud, most famously the pillar of cloud that guided the Children of Israel during the day on the Exodus.³

According to Rabbinic tradition, a cloud is a sign of the Shekhina, the feminine Divine Presence.⁴ Such clouds hovered over the tents of the matriarchs.⁵ Clouds (called by the Sages "clouds of glory") not only led the Israelites, but actually transported them, surrounding them on all sides and protecting them from the harsh desert environment.⁶ These clouds had supernal letters written on them, serving as banners for each tribe. A pillar of cloud became manifest over the altar on Yom Kippur, and its appearance was an augury of the future.⁷ The presence of these clouds diminished and eventually disappeared due to the accreted sins of Israel.

Bar Nifli, "son of a cloud," is a title for the Messiah, who will appear riding one, following the Book of Daniel.

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