Angles, Aliens and Demons
Myth or Reality? Jewish Tradition and the Phenomenon of Extraterrestrial Beings
Personal Note: Today, I am featuring James Ballard, a good friend of mine who has conducted fascinating research on what the Jewish tradition says about Angels, Aliens, and Demons. It seems that people all over the country are beginning to realize that we are not alone. What does the Bible have to say about this topic, and more specifically, what do the Jewish traditions say about it? I know you will find this article as fascinating as I did. Enjoy!
On another note, I am relocating to another part of Southern California due to a new job. I apologize for not writing as frequently over the past month or so; life has been very busy. Once we settle in next month, I plan to resume my weekly posts. In the meantime, I will share posts from other writers or substacks that I thoroughly enjoy.
Have a happy 4th of July! The spirit of 1776 still lives on for many Americans. Keep the faith.
Ty
Aliens, Idols, Demons, and Angels
What does the Jewish tradition say about phenomena like Aliens, or extra-terrestrial beings? And, is there any overlap with the broader categories of Angels and demons?
The Hidden Orchard (Click the Hidden Orchard to be taken directly to The Hidden Orchard website.)
Jun 23, 2024 • 6 min read
While on a hike with the family at Fort Mountain in Northwest Georgia, we came across an interesting find. Nearby an old stone wall believed to have been built by the Creek Indians, a placard tells the story of the tribe's battles with a race of human-like beings whom they called the "Moon-eyed people."
In this particular battle, the Moon-eyed people lost and were said to have retreated underground, where they lived within a vast subterranean underground network.
Researching the topic further, I admit I was a little surprised by the many similarities between the Jewish tradition that also describes the vast categories of non-human entities that share our world.
From the spiritual beings like, Angels, Dybukkim, and Demons, to the remnants of beings from the Pre-Adamic¹ era, it seems we are far from alone.
The Talmud speaks about many of these entities quite openly, recalling the various times these beings have interacted with people - sometimes helping, sometimes harming, and most of the time avoiding our perception.
In Tractate Berakhot 6a, we're told:
If the eye was given permission to see [the demons all around them], no creature would be able to withstand the abundance and ubiquity of the demons and continue to live unaffected by them.
If we open our minds, we may be able to make some sense of these categories, their differences, and similarities - and why G_D would allow them at all.
Be warned, the rest of this article may freak some people out. ;)
There are Many gods
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul makes the following statement:
For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— yet for us there is one G_D, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist,
- 1 Corinthians 8:5-6
Jewish tradition teaches that G_D has always used intermediaries to interact with creation. This is why the texts contain the appearance of so many classes of Angels, from the simple, nameless beings - to the well-known entities like Gabriel, Raphael, and others.
Some of these more sophisticated Angels are what we might describe as "interdimensional," able to take on different forms and phase in and out of our physical reality. This will be important to keep in mind for the moment.
The structure of our world, (the lower world), requires governance from the upper world to function, and it is the job of these Angelic forces to serve as a go-between, carrying judgment and blessing in proportionate measure to our behavior. The Kabbalist Ramchal² makes a similar statement to Paul:
... We find that presently there are other gods (false idols) in our world, and although in reality, it is impossible to do anything that the King has not instructed them to do, nevertheless, they perform vigorously and arrogantly, as if rooted in something else, separate from His Absoluteness.
Some angels serve as gatekeepers for various spiritual realms, for instance, 'Dumah' is the angel associated with the underworld, and 'Samael' is the angel associated with Satan, also known as the Angel of Death.
Nevertheless, all of them are believed to be subservient to G_D, though, their unique tasks may seem counter-intuitive when viewed from our vantage point in the lower world.
Demons
We've shared a great video on Demons in the past³, yet there is much more to explore. While many believe the topic to be taboo, we see numerous references to Demonic activity in the New Testament. Jewish tradition recognizes various classes of Demons from the overtly harmful; the silent energy-leeching; those associated with specific vices, and even the sometimes helpful Demons.
We generally view Angels as good and benevolent, while we view Demons as harmful. This is inaccurate as well as dangerous as we should be extremely careful with both of these groups of entities.
In Tractate Gittin, there is a famous story about how Solomon built the Temple through the help of Asmodai, a King of Demons⁴.
At one point in the story, Solomon asks about the differences between Demons and Angels. Asmodai promised to demonstrate his power, provided Solomon removed his protective ring, which had the Divine Name inscribed upon it. With the ring removed, Asmodai unfurled his wings and cast Solomon far from his Kingdom, seemingly afflicting him with a degree of madness.
During the (3) years it took Solomon to return, the Demon king sat on his throne and ruled his kingdom, undetected by Solomon's advisors! While this story can be read at different levels, there is a lot the Sages are telling us in these passages.
We see here that the line is blurred between Angels and Demons, who are also "interdimensional beings" - able to navigate the physics of our world in ways humans cannot.
Tradition teaches⁵ that Demons share traits with humans and Angels.
In three ways they [Demons] are like ministering angels: They have wings like ministering angels; and they fly from one end of the world to the other like ministering angels; and they know what will be in the future like ministering angels...
And in three ways they are similar to humans: They eat and drink like humans; they multiply like humans; and they die like humans.
Like us, they have their own agendas, goals, and day-to-day activities - as strange as that may seem to ponder.
Aliens, Angels & Demons
A friend with whom I have often discussed these topics shared a recent clip from an interview in Brazil, where a native tribesman was asked about "Aliens." Puzzled, the tribesman was not aware of the term.
The interviewer then showed him a picture of the classic 'grey' alien. (For those not familiar, these are the popular small grey beings with large almond-shaped black eyes). The tribesman immediately recognized this entity and shared that these are not extra-terrestrial, but live underground and cause harm to our Spirit if we harm them.
He is not the first to make this claim, and several native traditions I've uncovered in my research corroborate these ideas.
In his book, "Aliens, Angels, & Demons"⁶, Rabbi Ariel Bar Tzadok shares some parallels between Angels & Demons and the late-western term "Aliens." He challenges our modern over-simplified definitions, helping us to think broader, and more locally.
R. Tzadok, as have others, proposes that many beings we might consider "Extraterrestrial" could be very terrestrial. When we categorize these entities through the term, "interdimensional," all of the lines become obscured, and our simple definitions fail.
Recent interviews with Tucker Carlson, particularly his recent appearance on the Shawn Ryan show, suggest a similar tact as R. Tzadok, even connecting the recent phenomenon with the ancient Biblical accounts.
Concluding
At times, humanity has mistaken many of these entities for gods, fashioning idols in their image. At other times, some humans have found ways of manipulating, or partnering with these entities for their own advancement - for evil - attaining knowledge and insights out of bounds by normal means⁷. The essence of Paganism is still alive and well today.
As this topic becomes more and more mainstream, we may be on the brink of some degree of disclosure, as some suggest. If so, it will be helpful to acquaint ourselves with what the Biblical tradition teaches on the topic.
Watch this Discussion with Shawn Ryan and Tucker Carlson regarding this topic:
Be warned, there is language in this video.
Have a great day! Stay sharp. Pray. Be ready.
Ty
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