Barry Epstein asked:
My note to 121b re the 7 people that spanned the entire world says "the Tanna cannot maintain, as some do, that Chanoch became the angel Metatron (Gen 5:21-24). How is this possible, if people can't become angels?
Barry Epstein, Dallas, USA
The Kollel replies:
The expression goes something like, "A good Jew answers a question with a question" (though I guess if I did that all the time, I wouldn't have a job). Who told you that they can't become angels? Although there is extensive discussion in the Rishonim whether or not Chanoch became Matatron, I am not aware of any Rishon claiming that it can't be because Hash-m can't turn people into angels. Why not?
Kol Tuv,
Yaakov Montrose