Excursus on Maaseh Merkava - Theophany? Mystical Experience? Mind Palace?

We take a deep dive into the meaning of Ezekiel's vision of the divine transport, arguing what was envisioned was not in fact a chariot at all. We discuss some of the history related to mystical approaches to Yechezkel's prophecy and offer an alternative understanding of the vehicle in question based on the description of the lavers in the Beit HaMikdash (Temple).

We also offer a sustained comparison between the language and motifs of the revelation in chapter 1 with very similar language used to describe elements of the flood in the story of Noah. We offer a theory as to why these textual hints are embedded in our story.

More on the omniwheel (and the notion of Ezekiel seeing a UFO) can be found here. A brief animation of the omniwheel in use by the lavers of the Bayit is viewable here

Lastly, here is a relief that is roughly contemporaneous to the time of Yechezkel showing a royal chariot

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