In Parashat Teruma, God commands the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle), including the creation of the Aron HaBrit (Ark of the Covenant), adorned with two golden cherubim (כרובים) with outstretched wings on the Ark’s cover (Exodus 25:18-22). These cherubim are symbolic of divine presence and guardianship over the sacred.
The term cherubim has entered English to describe angelic beings, often depicted as innocent, child-like angels with wings. However, the biblical cherubim are far more complex, especially in Jewish texts like the Book of Ezekiel, where they are described as having four faces (a lion, ox, eagle, and human) and four wings, representing their multifaceted divine roles. This contrasts sharply with the Christianized cherubic figures, influenced by Greco-Roman depictions of Cupid/Eros.
In art, especially during the Renaissance, artists like Raphael popularized the image of cherubs as chubby, winged infants, which are now commonly seen in romantic-themed decorations and advertisements. These cherubs feature on Valentine’s Day cards and wedding decorations, representing love and sweetness.
Today, the adjective "cherubic" describes individuals with youthful, innocent, or angelic appearances, often applied to famous figures like Paul McCartney in the early days of the Beatles, the young Leonardo DiCaprio in movies like Titanic and Romeo + Juliet, the star of the Home Alone movies, Macaulay Culkin, in the 1990s, and obviously the famous child actress of the 1930s, Shirley Temple with her curly hair, dimples cheeks, and sweet demeanor.