Special Angelic Figures: The Career of the Beasts of the Throne World in Hekhalot Literature, German Pietism and Kabbalistic Literature

Angelic beings and heavenly beasts have played a major role in the throne world as described in mystical interpretations of Ezekiel's vision. In this study, the various traditions regarding these beasts are traced through the Hekhalot literature, German pietism, the Special Cherub Circle and early Kabbalistic texts. By clarifying the meaning of certain text-traditions in their original context, it is possible to understand better the development and cross fertilization of interpretation in various mystical circles in the thirteenth century. This reevaluation leads to some conclusions which have historical ramifications for the development of traditions which in the past have come to characterize certain texts and mystical schools. Speculation on the unique role of the Cherub in the throne world can be found in additions to the Hekhalot literature prior to the European reception and reworking of this texts. In medieval Europe we can point to further speculations on the Cherub prior to the works of Eleazar of Worms, the main figure of thirteenth-century German Pietism, and separate from the main works of the Special Cherub Circle. The relationship between these schools is further assisted by comparing traditions on the Beast named Israel in various texts. This article concludes with a discussion of the reception of these traditions in Kabbalistic texts. The traditions concerning the beasts of the throne-world have been shown to have evolved through the interpretation, redaction and reception of Jewish texts in various periods