Chayot

Contributed by Rabbi Geoffrey W. Dennis

"[Holy] Beasts." Angelic entities that pull the divine chariot. Formed of fire and light, they sing praises to God, but also have flaming breath that is a threat to other angels. They can smell when a living human enters the precincts of heaven.1

The Chayot, or Chayot Ha Kodesh, are ranked first in Maimonides' Mishneh Torah, fourth in the Zohar, and first in the Reshit Chochmah.

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References

Notes

  1. Midrash Konen.

Source

  • Singer, Isidore; Adler, Cyrus; et al. 1901-1906. Jewish Encyclopedia. 12 Vols. New York: Funk and Wagnalls Company.