Malakh
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A Malakh (plural Malakhim) is a messenger angel who appears throughout the Hebrew Bible, Rabbinic literature, and traditional Jewish liturgy.
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[edit] In the Hebrew Bible
The Hebrew Bible reports that Malakhim appeared to each of the Patriarchs (Bible), to Moses, Joshua, and numerous other figures. They appear to Hagar in Genesis 16:9, to Lot in Genesis 19:1, and to Abraham in Genesis 22:11, they ascend and descend Jacob's Ladder in Genesis 29:12 and appear to Jacob again in Genesis 31:11-13. God promises to send one to Moses in Exodus 33:2, and sends one to stand in the way of Balaam in Numbers 23:31.
Isaiah speaks of Malakh Panov, "the angel of His presence" (Isaiah 3:9).
The Book of Psalms says "For malakhav (His angels) He will charge for you, to protect you in all your ways" (Psalms 91:11)
[edit] In Rabbinic Literature
Malakhim occupy the sixth rank of ten in the famous medieval Rabbinic scholar Maimonides' Jewish Angelarchy.
[edit] In Jewish Liturgy
On returning home from services on Friday night, the eve of Shabbat, or at the dinner-table before dinner Friday night, it is customary in Orthodox Judaism and Conservative Judaism to greet ones guardian angels (Angels of Service or Ministering Angels) with a traditional hymn beginning with:
- Peace be unto you, Malachai HaSharet (Angels of Service)
- Angels of the Most High
- From the King of the kings of kings
- The Holy One Blessed Be He
On the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, it is customary to call all the boys (in some synagogues, all the children) to the Torah reading and for the whole congregation to recite a verse from Jacob's blessing to Ephraim and Manasheh (Manassas).
- May the angel who redeems me from all evil, bless the children, and let my name be named in them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and let them flourish like fish for multitude in the midst of the land (Genesis 48:16)
[edit] References
- Jewish Encyclopedia, "Angelology"
- Siddur Simchas Yehoshua: The ArtScroll Interlinear Siddur for the Sabbath and Festivals. Mesorah Publications Ltd. 2002.
