Daily Zohar # 4898 – Beresheet – Falling angels

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Hebrew translation:

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Zohar Beresheet
Continued from previous DZ
The discussion about the five types of Erev Rav (נגע רע) starts with #224 above.
#226
Nefilim—about them, it is written: “And they saw…” These are from the second type, the Nefilim of the Erev Rav (Mixed Multitude). Concerning them, it is said, “וַיִּרְאוּ בְנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים אֶת בְּנוֹת הָאָדָם כִּי טֹבוֹת הֵנָּה” “And the sons of Elohim saw the daughters of man that they were good” (Genesis 6:2). These are the second type of the Erev Rav, which is the aspect of Chokmah of the klipot. They are from those upper Nefilim, namely that they come from Uzza and Azael, who were angels of the upper world, and the Holy One, Blessed is He, cast them down from the heavens—as will be explained—and therefore they are called Nefilim (fallen ones). And these Nefilim of the Erev Rav are derived from them.
When the Holy One, Blessed be He, wished to create man and said, “נַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם בְּצַלְמֵנוּ” “Let us make man in Our image…” (Genesis 1:26), He wanted to make him a head over all the upper ones. That is, He wanted to appoint man as ruler over all the heavenly angels so that they would be appointed under his authority—just like it is said about Joseph, “וְיַפְקֵד פְּקִדִים עַל הָאָרֶץ” “And he appointed officials over the land” (Genesis 41:34).
Notes:
The Nefilim mentioned in Genesis are spiritually rooted in fallen angels (Uzza and Azael) and are part of the second category of the Erev Rav, representing Chokmah of the impure side. God originally intended man to rule over the upper realm, but the presence of the Nefilim and their spiritual influence introduces opposition to this divine structure.
#227
They [the angels] wanted to object to the creation of Adam and said: “מָה־אֱנוֹשׁ כִּי־תִזְכְּרֶנּוּ” “What is man, that You should remember him?” (Psalms 8:5) —that he is destined to sin before You. Therefore, the angels wanted to accuse him and said before the Holy One, Blessed be He: “What is man that You should remember him?” Behold, he is destined to sin before You, so why would You lower us beneath him? The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to them: If you had been below on earth like him, you would have sinned more than him. Immediately, “וַיִּרְאוּ בְנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים אֶת בְּנוֹת הָאָדָם כִּי טֹבֹת הֵנָּה” “And the sons of God saw the daughters of man that they were good” (Genesis 6:2). They desired them, and the Holy One, Blessed be He, cast them down below in chains.
Notes:
The angels who objected to man’s creation were themselves tested and fell into sin, proving man’s spiritual struggle is uniquely challenging. Their downfall validates God’s plan, demonstrating that even celestial beings can succumb to earthly temptation. Thus, Genesis 6:2 is both literal and symbolic: fallen angels (Bnei Elohim) succumbed to desire, justifying their descent and man’s spiritual role.
#228
And they are Aza and Azael, from whom come the souls of the Erev Rav (Mixed Multitude), who are from the side of the Nefilim (Fallen Ones), who even caused themselves to fall from their holiness to lust after beautiful women. Because of this, the Holy One, Blessed be He, cast them out from the World to Come so that they would have no portion there. He gave them their reward in this world, as it is written: “וּמְשַׁלֵּם לְשֹׂנְאָיו אֶל-פָּנָיו לְהַאֲבִידוֹ” “And He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them” (Deuteronomy 7:10). And He gave them their reward in this world, as Onkelos translated: “He pays His enemies for the good deeds they do in this world, to destroy them from the World to Come.” Thus, the second category of the Erev Rav has been explained — those called Nefilim — who are a manifestation of Chokmah from the side of impurity (Chochmah de-Klipah).
Notes:
The Nefilim—a type of Erev Rav—stems from the fallen angels Aza and Azael. Their descent into lust and impurity cost them their share in the World to Come. Though they may receive rewards in this world, it is only to remove them from eternal merit. They represent a form of corrupted wisdom (Chochmah de-Klipah), using spiritual power for selfish ends rather than divine purpose.

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