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Angels and the four times of prayer

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Angels and the four times of prayer
by Marion Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2017 9:18 am

Shalom All!

I the Zohar, we learn that there are four times of prayer throughout the day: dawn, noon, dusk,
and midnight. The three, dawn, noon, and dusk are required by the law, and the prayer at
midnight is lauded as a most holy time. Prayers at midnight are not required, and come from the
heart, Leb, and a deep desire, Devekut, for the Holy One.

The correspondences for the four times of prayer are:

Dawn—Raphael, Mercy, Abraham, and Sarah

Noon—Michael, Severity, Issac, and Rebecca
Dusk—Gabriel, Compassion, Jacob, Leah, and Rachael
Midnight—Metatron, Da'at and Yesod, (I am not sure if there is a patriarch corresponding to this
time?)

There are two fixed times: noon and midnight, and two changing times: dawn and dusk. The
changing times are based on the rotation of the earth, and one’s place on it. The fixed times are
based on how near or far the celestial sphere of the sun is. Given this, a question arose: do the
fixed times have to do with permanent angels, and the changing times with temporal angels?

Blessings and Shalom,

Marion

Re: Angels and the four times of prayer

by Tau Malachi Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 11:36 am
Greetings and blessings in the Holy Light of the Messiah!

The attribute of the patriarchs to the times of daily prayer indicates something of the direct influx
of the Sefirot at those times of prayer; hence the play of mercy, judgment and compassion. The
attribute of the archangels indicates other influences and mysteries concerning the times of prayer
as a movement around the sacred circle; hence the influxes of spiritual force corresponding with
the four directions.

Thus, teachings concerning the patriarchs and times of prayer reveal spiritual works in prayer
corresponding with the Sefirot that may be done, along with essential kavvanot of prayer at those
times, and the teachings of archangels and the times of prayer reveal spiritual works in prayer
corresponding with the direction of the sacred circle that may also be done, for as one passes
through each day so they walk the sacred circle of life (gilgul hai), and in so doing there is some
play of birth, life, death and the afterlife, sleep and dream touching upon something of the
hereafter, as taught frequently in the Zohar.

The attribute of Raphael, Michael and Gabriel are as we would expect in teachings of the
directions of the sacred circle, but the mention of Metatron with the north and midnight is very
interesting and not what we would expect; we should expect Oriel, or Uriel, the ‘Light of God,’ not
Metatron. The surprising mention of Metatron indicates a teaching being given that alludes to a
spiritual practice through daily prayer for the formation of merkavah, the ‘chariot,’ and a
conscious engagement of aliyat neshamah, ‘mystical ascents of the soul,’ in sleep and dream based
upon the many teachings in Zohar concerning ‘midnight prayer’ or the ‘arising to study and
contemplate the Holy Torah at midnight.’ In terms of the holy tzaddikim, or the prophets and
apostles, do they arise from their beds to study and contemplate the Torah in this world? Perhaps
at times they do, but through aliyat neshamah in sleep and dream they may ‘arise’ to study and
contemplate the Torah in the heavens, or in the ‘lower or upper garden of Eden.’ The passage
concerning these angels and the times of prayer hints at this, very much so!

Concerning permanent and impermanent angels, remember that archangels, which are among the
permanent angels, also rule over entire hosts of countless angels, permanent and impermanent
angels making up the hosts, orders, choirs, over which they preside; hence, to mention an
archangel is to allude to their hosts as well, for most often it is through their hosts that the
archangels engage their divine actions, all as ordained by the Eternal God, Yahweh Elohim. With
regards to angels and prayer, there are permanent and impermanent angels that join us in prayer,
whether at the set times of prayer or times of additional prayer just the same, angels praying with
us, and uplifting our prayers to the Throne of Glory, or the ‘station of Metatron.’

May the Holy One smile upon you, and may the Holy One bless you and keep you this day!
Amen.

Shalom Aleichem!

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