Raziel

Raziel (Heb. רזיאל "Secret [s] of God"), is an archangel within the teachings of Jewish mysticism (of the Kabbalah of Judaism) who is the "Keeper of Secrets" and the "Angel of Mysteries."Davidson, Gustav (1967), "A Dictionary of Angels, Including The Fallen Angels", Entry: Raziel, pp. 242, 243, Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 66-19757] He is associated with the Sephira Chokmah (the second of ten) in Olam Briah, one of the Four Worlds of Kabbalistic theory.Lewis, James R., Oliver, Evelyn Dorothy, Sisung Kelle S. (Editor) (1996), "Angels A to Z", Entry: Raziel, pp. 346, 347, Visible Ink Press, ISBN 0-7876-0652-9]

In mysticism and tradition

Various teachings assign Raziel to diverse roles, including that of a Cherub, [http://www.sarahsarchangels.com/archangels/raziel.html Sarah's Archangels] ] a member of the Ophanim, [Scarborough, Samuel (2002), [http://www.jwmt.org/v1n3/treeoflife.html "The Tree of Life"] , Filing Cabinet of the Western Mystery Tradition and Methods to Recall the Information, "Journal of the Western Mystery Tradition" No. 3, Vol 1. Autumnal Equinox 2002] and chief of the Erelim. [ [http://www.biblefacts.org/myth/angelore.html Angelic Lore] at [http://www.biblefacts.org biblefacts.org] (2004)]

Raziel, under the alternate name Galizur, ("Revealer of The Rock") is described as the "ruling prince of the 2nd Heaven. He is said to expound "the Torah's divine wisdom," and protects the ministering angels from the Hayyoth, the "holy Creatures" that uphold the universe.Davidson, Gustav (1967), "A Dictionary of Angels, Including The Fallen Angels", Entry: Galizur, p. 120, Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 66-19757] [ [http://www.sacred-texts.com/journals/jras/1893-15.htm "Hebrew Visions of Hell and Paradise"] (1893), "Journal of The Royal Asiatic Society", London, The Royal asiatic Society, at [http://www.sacred-texts.com sacred-texts.com] ]

Raziel is the angel of the 12th quasi-Sephira, the location of secret knowledge. [http://www.cs.utah.edu/~spiegel/kabbalah/jkm12.htm#Heading13856 (12.3.2)]

Authorship of "Sefer Raziel HaMalach"

The famous "Sefer Raziel HaMalach" ("Book of Raziel the Angel") attributed to this figure is said to contain all secret knowledge, and is considered to be a book of magic. He stands close by God's throne, and therefore hears and writes down everything that is said and discussed. [http://www.sarahsarchangels.com/archangels/raziel.html Sarah's Archangels] ] He purportedly gave the book to Adam and Eve after they ate from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, which resulted in their expulsion from the Garden of Eden, so the two could find their way back "home" and better understand their God. Raziel's fellow angels were deeply disturbed by this, and as such, stole the book from Adam and threw it into the ocean. God Himself decided not to punish Raziel, but instead retrieved the book by means of the angel Rahab and returned it to Adam and Eve.Lewis, James R., Oliver, Evelyn Dorothy, Sisung Kelle S. (Editor) (1996), "Angels A to Z", Entry: Raziel, pp. 346, 347, Visible Ink Press, ISBN 0-7876-0652-9]

According to some sources, the book was passed on through the generations to Enoch (believed to have later become the angel Metatron), who may have incorporated his own writings into the tome. From Enoch, the archangel Raphael gave it to Noah, who used the wisdom within to build Noah's Ark. [Ginzberg, Louis (1909), [http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/loj/loj106.htm"The Legends of the Jews"] , Volume 1, Chapter IV, at [http://www.sacred-texts.com/index.htm sacred-texts.com] ] "The Book of Raziel" was said to have come into the possession of King Solomon, [ [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=142&letter=R Raziel, Book of] at [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com jewishencyclopedia.com] ] and a number of texts claiming to be this volume have recently appeared.

In the arts and popular culture

The angel Raziel is featured as a significant character in two novels by Christopher Moore: "," and "The Stupidest Angel."

The angel Raziel is mentioned in Anne Rice's book "Memnoch the Devil"

Raziel is bound within human form in the trilogy of novels, Heart of the Earth by Richard Anderson.

The angel Raziel is the supporting character that offers guidance, humor, and sometimes necessary counterbalance to his friend, the archon Uriel, in John Allen's independent film, "Fallen".

The lead character of the Soul Reaver series of video games is named after Raziel. He is ranked ninth on "EGM"’s Top Ten Badass Undead. [Scott Sharkey, “EGM’s Top Ten Badass Undead: Thriller Night,” "Electronic Gaming Monthly" 233 (October 2008): 106.] See Raziel (Legacy of Kain).

There is a character named Raziel in the series Angel Sanctuary.

Raziel is the name of a sword in the online role playing game Dofus. In the game, the sword is said to be powerful because it was blessed by a tear of the angel Raziel. [ [http://dofus.wikia.com/wiki/Raziel Dofus Wikia - Raziel entry] ]

The Angel Raziel is a fictional character in the book series 'The Mortal Instruments' by Cassandra Clare, in which Raziel created the first Shadow Hunter by mixing the blood of mortals and angels in the "Mortal Cup".

In Steven Brust's novel To Reign in Hell, Raziel is the leader of one of Heaven's armies, the Thrones.

In the PlayStation RPG Xenogears, Raziel is the main computer of the Eldridge, containing all the scientific knowledge of humanity.

Fin Raziel is a character in the story written by George Lucas for Willow (film).

The book of Raziel features prominently in Jaqueline Carrey's Kushiel series, especially Kushiel's Avatar.

ee also

*Angel
*Archangel
*Jewish mysticism
*Kabbalah
*Sephiroth

References

External links

* [http://www.depths.tk"Raziel Speaks" on Depths of the Living God]
* [http://www.sarahsarchangels.com/archangels/raziel.html "Raziel" on Sarah's Archangels]
* [http://www.raziel.info "The Holy Book of Sefer Raziel"]
* [http://www.yarzheit.org/antiquesefer/raziel.pdf "The Full Hebrew only Sefer Raziel Amsterdam Edition in pdf free download "]