“The Mystery of (Re)incarnation and the Fallen Angels”: The Reincarnations of Adam, Enoch, Metatron, (Jesus), and Joseph—An Anti-Christian Polemic in the Zohar

Abstract

abstract:The reincarnation of Adam in Joseph, the fallen angels (‘Azza and ‘Azza’el) and Joseph’s brothers, a possible Christian polemic concerning Metatron and Jesus, the mystery of “divine physiognomy,” the “book of Rabbi Kruspedai,” and the meeting with his mother on the day of R. Kruspedai’s death—are all included in some Zoharic passages printed in Tikkunei haZohar, at the end of Tikkun 70 (134b–136a), which is the focal text of this article. The main purpose of this article is to discuss the multifaceted linkage between Metatron and Jesus as part of the hidden Zoharic polemics against Christianity.