What is the definition of ?Af? and Cheimah??
They are two destructive angels. Refer to 9:19:1:3 (to punish the sinners ? Rashi in Bava Basra, 9b).
How will we reconcile the current Pasuk, which implies that Hashem wanted to exterminate them during the forty days after Moshe descended, with the Pasuk in Ki Sissa Sh'mos, 32:14 which states that Hashem agreed not to destroy Yisrael already before Moshe descended?
Ramban: Despite the fact that Hashem had already retracted from His initial threat to wipe out K'lal Yisrael, Moshe found it necessary to ascend Har Sinai to Daven on their behalf to protect them against the wrath and the rage of Hashem. 1
Da'as Zekenim, Hadar Zekenim and Rosh (all on Pasuk 18): Hashem agreed not to destroy Yisrael, but the sin was not pardoned; Moshe now requested pardon of the sin.
Targum Yonasan: When, following the sin of the Golden calf, Hashem sent down five destructive angels - Af, Cheimah, Ketzef, Mashchis and Charon - to destroy Yisrael, Moshe roused the Avos from their graves to Daven for them. They succeeded in eliminating the latter three, and now, with his Tefilos, Moshe eliminated Af and Cheimah 2 as well.
This refers to other sins for which Hashem thought to destroy Yisrael (in Pesukim 22-23). Refer to 9:22:2:3
Which still hovered over them (to destroy them, if not in one go, little by little - as he did later follwing the sin of the Meraglim - Oznayim la'Torah).
Targum Yonasan: Whom he subsequently buried in a pit in the land of Mo'av, by means of the Great Name of Hashem. See also Na'ar Yonasan. (The question remains however, why do Af, Cheimah and Ketzef Gadol reappear in Nitzavim, 29:27)?
How will we reconcile the curren Pasuk "Ki Yagorti Mipnei ha'Af ... " with the Pasuk in Mishlei,21:14 "Matan ba'Seiser Yichpeh Af" (An anonymous gift - Tzedakah - will cover-up anger")?
Bava Basra: This teaches us that Tzedakah that is given discreetly causes Hashem's anger to abate more than Moshe Rabeinu's Tefilos. 1
See Torah Temmah, note 9.
How will we reconcile the current Pasuk "Ki Yagorti Mipnei ha'Af ve'ha'Cheimah" with the Pasuk in Yeshayah 27:4 "Cheimah Ein Li"?
Nedarim, 32a #1: The current Pasuk is speaking about Nochrim (with regard to the sin of Golden Calf), whereas the Pasuk in Yeshayah is referring to other sins that Yisrael commit, where Hashem never displays Cheimah. 1
Nedarim, 32a #2: The current Pasuk is referring to 'the black cloak' - the remnant of the Chet ha'Eigel, that covers every punishment that Hashem subsequently sends on Yisrael. 2
What is the meaning of "Gam ba'Pa'am ha'Hi"?
Hadar Zekenim: Refer to 9:19:1:3. Just as Hashem initially agreed not to destroy Yisrael, now He agreed to pardon their sin.
