יחזקאל, פרק א׳, פסוק כ״ב

The prophetic vision now ascends to a higher spiritual plane, shifting focus from the angels and wheels to the way they receive spiritual abundance from the realm of the throne above them. Stretched out above the living creatures is an expanse [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The primary approach among commentators is that this is not a physical sky or celestial sphere, but a distinct partition dividing the upper and lower worlds. This expanse acts as a mediator, transferring the divine flow from God to the angels [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל]. Another perspective suggests this expanse serves as a protective screen separating God from the creatures carrying His throne, ensuring that even they cannot view Him directly [אברבנאל]. The vision relies on imagery rather than tangible objects to convey a pure spiritual reality [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל], treating the entire group of living creatures as a single, unified entity [אברבנאל].

This expanse appears like a solid, strong block of awesome ice [רש״י, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The primary approach among commentators is that this description captures the overwhelming terror and dread that falls upon anyone who sees it, caused by its blinding whiteness and brilliant glow [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. However, this imagery of ice can also be understood metaphorically as the process of the divine flow descending. Just as vapor condenses and freezes into solid ice, the intense spiritual abundance from above must condense and contract as it passes through the expanse so that the creatures below can safely receive and contain it. The awe inspired by this divine light is compared to ice that freezes the blood [מלבי״ם]. Similarly, just as a massive fall of ice from the sky fills people with fear, the descent of God's abundance is a wondrous and awesome event [אברבנאל].

The expanse is stretched flat directly above the heads of the creatures [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This specific placement indicates that the divine flow first reaches the heads of the creatures, who serve as the leaders of the angelic camps. From these leaders, the spiritual abundance cascades downward, reaching the lower worlds and the angels stationed beneath them [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל].