Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel

Students of the Bible often wonder about the mysterious identity of the three “men,” who visited Abraham (Gen 18ff.).

The identity of the angelic beings has stirred many controversies among scholars over for over two millennium. The 12th century rabbinic savant, Abraham Ibn Ezra, explains that these three men were in fact, human beings who were sent by God to bring a message to Sarah, while the other two later went to Sodom.

A similar thought is found in the theological writings of Maimonides and the 14th century Karaite scholar Aharon ben Eliyahu, both who maintain that prophets are occasionally referred to as “angels” as it says “but they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words, and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against his people became so great that there was no remedy” (2 Chron. 36:16). There were other individuals who were blessed with a spiritual sense of God’s Presence besides Abraham (cf. Gen. 25:22-23).

The 14th century rationalist  and astronomer Levi ben Gersonides develops this insight a bit further while adding that this interpretation is harmonious with the verse “He looked up and saw three men standing near him.”

As to the obvious question, “Why did the Torah later describe these men as “angels” in the narrative of Lot (19:1)?” Gersonides replies, that a prophet is sometimes referred to as an angel. These prophets didn’t come for the sake of Abraham, who was also a prophet, but their purpose was to inform Sarah about the prospect of her pregnancy. As we have mentioned earlier, Gersonides accepts the view that angels can be human beings empowered by God.

Thus, when the Torah tells us that three “men” visited Abraham, the Torah means exactly what it says —these  three “men” were exactly that–men!

As we will soon see, it is not the personality that defines what an angel is, it is the role that the angel plays. When we look at it from this perspective, it is as Gersonides and other have noted, unimportant whether the “men” who visited with Abraham were truly human or supernatural beings merely appearing as “men” since God could have chosen either one for carrying out His purpose.

From a grammatical perspective, the term מַלְאָך (mal˒āk) may mean a message bearer (Gen. 32:2), or personal representatives (2 Sam. 11:4), or political emissaries (Josh. 11:12-14; 2 Sam. 5:11). However, in some of the apocalyptic prophecies, angels appear to truly be supernatural beings on a mission (much like the Blues Brothers) from God (cf. Zech 1:9; 5:5; 2 Sam. 24:17; Gen 19:12-17). As mentioned earlier, with respect to angels, the message is far more important than the individual messenger.

A Story about Angels Among Us

I would like to conclude with a charming Hassidic story that highlights all human beings can sometimes choose to act as angels, instead of behaving like demonic forces unleashed upon an unsuspecting world.

Once there was a man who had several daughters, but could not afford to provide any of them with a dowry. After praying for help from God, the poor man decided to sue God at a Jewish court. He went to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, one of the greatest advocates of the Jewish people.Rabbi Levi listened to the case, and called on God to answer to the charges alleged. Well, it was a no show. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak ruled in favor of the poor man and gave him a bill of collection.  He smiled, and said, “Unfortunately, I cannot collect the sum for you, but I wish you good luck!”

As the man walked merrily down the street, reading his writ of collection, a strong gust of wind blew the document out of his hand. Eventually, a Christian duke picked up the document. The Hasid asked that he would return it, but the duke wanted to know why he was so adamant about getting it back. In the end, the duke kept the document and went to the rabbi for a translation. He soon discovered the reason why the Hasid felt so embarrassed, but he also understood his predicament. He mused, “Poor fellow, he’ll be waiting a long time for God to respond. I think I will help him out instead.”

The Christian duke demonstrated what a true “act of God” truly is by responding with love towards those who were in need.

Next time there are people in need of a helping hand, remember–each of us can choose to act as agents of Divine mercy. Angels are not necessarily creatures of a supernatural order, but their acts of intercession and mercy can certainly reveal a Divine mercy that is absent of the lives of people suffering. As always, how we respond is all up to us . . .