Category Archives: Angels

Heroes Who Limp

Posted on March 13, 2018 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

Jacob’s midnight assailant was surprised at his adversary’s great strength. He wondered if Jacob might be an angel like himself. Angels have no leg joints, the midrash teaches, so he touched Jacob at the hip to determine whether his opponent’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Blessing, Midrash, Poetry, Torah | 4 Comments

Created On The Second Day

Posted on October 27, 2016 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

When was love created? asked a modern Israeli poet. When were the angels made? an ancient sage inquired. Each question contains an essential quest: to read a detail of personal interest both into, and out of, the few verses of … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Midrash, Parshat HaShavuah, Poetry | 1 Comment

The Angels’ Point of View

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

Two ministering angels accompany a man on Shabbat eve as he comes home from the synagogue—one good angel and one bad.  And when he returns to the house and finds the lamp lit, the table arranged and the bed made … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Shabbat, Talmud | 2 Comments

Naming the Angel

Posted on November 18, 2010 by Sicha, Continuing the Conversation

At the end of a night-long struggle, Jacob earned a new name from his assailant—Israel, the one who prevailed over God. In return, Jacob asked:  Please tell me your name.  And he replied:  Why do you ask my name? (Genesis … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Midrash, Names, Parshat HaShavuah, Poetry | 2 Comments