Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2000 00:02:45 -0400 (EDT)
From: Russell Hendel <  rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu>
Subject: Re: Angels

QUESTION: Can angels sin? A previous posting in Volume 5 Number 63
gave two proofs that angels cannot sin.

ANSWER:
First let me give a stronger proof. Moses is called an Angel(Ex 23:20) even
though he sinned by hitting the rock(Nu 20:12-13). Clearly then Moses had
free will.

We should however distinguish between a HUMAN with angelic status like
Moses and an ACTUAL angel (Purely spiritual being who appears to prophets).

Actual Angels or Judges like possibly those mentioned in Gen 6:4 can sin
(According to many commentaries those mentioned in Gen 6:4 were Judges).

However actual angels like those mentioned in 1Kings22:22 are not capable
of sin. To answer Lavi, the angel in 1Kings22:22 offered to lie in the
mouths of the false prophets--that is this angel offered to seduce the
false prophets to sin in order to punish Achav for murdering Navoth. Thus
the angel was doing G-d's will.

Russell Jay Hendel; Phd ASA; RHendel@Towson.Edu
Moderator Rashi is Simple; http://www.shamash.org/rashi/