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Borne on Eagles' Wings
TANAKH
The divine protection and guidance provided by God is symbolized by the imagery of being borne on eagles' wings, as He brought the Israelites out of Egypt and closer to Him. In the book of Exodus, God reminds the Israelites of His powerful acts during the Exodus, emphasizing His protection and guidance as He led them out of Egypt.
Solomon's Flight on the Great Eagle
MIDRASH
King Solomon is known throughout the tradition for his great wealth and wisdom, breadth of experience, and fantastical diversity of exotic possessions. Kohelet Rabbah, a midrashic commentary on Ecclesiastes, describes Solomon riding on a giant eagle.
The Eagle's Swiftness in Job
COMMENTARY
The swiftness of the eagle is used as a metaphor to illustrate how quickly Job’s good times faded away and were forgotten. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’s commentary on the Book of Job explains and clarifies the challenging text.
An Eagle and Its Young
KABBALAH
The way an eagle hovers over its young is held as the model for the ideal relationship between God and Israel. In the 13th-century Kabbalistic work Sha'arei Orah, Rabbi Joseph Gikatilla explores the mystical possibility of the renewal of such a positive, intimate relationship with the divine.
The Eagle of Naftali
COMMENTARY
The tribe of Naftali is symbolically associated with the eagle, a connection highlighted by the acrostic formed by the initial letters of נפתלי שבע רצון (Naftali, satisfied with favor). Rabbeinu Bahya, a medieval Jewish commentator, provides a deep and multifaceted interpretation of Deuteronomy 33:23:4, exploring both literal and mystical meanings.
The Eagle of Dan
MUSAR
What animal did the tribe of Dan fly on its flag? In his 17th-century work, Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz lists different opinions including an eagle, a snake, and a snake-eagle chimera, and discusses their symbolism.
Youth Renewed Like an Eagle
TANAKH
The renewal of youth and vitality is a powerful metaphor for spiritual and physical rejuvenation. The Psalms use the imagery of an eagle to symbolize the blessings and renewal of strength provided by God, which is according to some commentaries a reference to how eagles renew their feathers.
Soar in Divine Service
MISHNAH
The metaphor of the eagle in Pirkei Avot inspires us to alacrity in our service to God. Pirkei Avot, a work of ancient rabbinic ethics and wisdom from the land of Israel, is traditionally studied for its ethical teachings and moral conduct.
The Eagle's Compassion
COMMENTARY
The eagle's merciful behavior towards its young serves as a metaphor for God's compassionate guidance of Israel. Rashi, the renowned 11th-century French biblical commentator, uses the imagery of an eagle to illustrate God's gentle and considerate care for the Jewish people.
Forbidden Birds in Jewish Dietary Law
TANAKH
The Torah explicitly prohibits the consumption of certain birds, including the eagle, which has implications for the Jewish dietary laws. The dietary laws in Deuteronomy list specific birds that are forbidden to eat, forming a crucial part of kashrut, the Jewish dietary code.
Hanukkah Lamp with an eagle in the center,  Austrian Empire, 1858
Hanukkah Lamp with an eagle in the center, Austrian Empire, 1858
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