The name of the angel, Dumah (דומה), means “silence” or “stillness” in Hebrew, reflecting his association with the realms of the dead and the afterlife. He is responsible for watching over the souls of the departed, particularly those undergoing judgment in Gehennam. He ensures that justice is administered to souls according to their deeds in life.
The Zohar (Acharei-mot #265) Zohar, tells that he acts as a messenger who informs the souls of the Tzadikim about the prayers and sufferings of the living. When the living are unable to communicate directly with the departed righteous souls, Dumah facilitates this connection. Dumah is portrayed as an intermediary who can relay messages between the living and the dead. When the living bring a Torah scroll to the graves of the righteous, and the souls awaken, Dumah informs them of the living’s plight and prayers.
In the Talmud (Berakhot 18b), there’s a discussion about whether the dead are aware of the living’s experiences, and Dumah is mentioned as the angel responsible for keeping the dead silent about the secrets of the afterlife.
Dumah
Synonyms:
Duma