Did God have help when creating the world? It’s a question that’s sparked debate and wonder for centuries.
Most traditions emphasize that God alone brought the universe into being, without the assistance of any angel or messenger. But then you have other voices, whispering a different story – one where God commanded the angels, and they, in turn, obeyed, shaping the cosmos with divine light. The Zohar, a central text of Kabbalah, even suggests the very heavens were stretched out by angels, with Gabriel in the north and Michael in the south.
Some even say that when God created the world, He created everything in the form of angels, suggesting they are the very blueprint, the foundation upon which all creation rests, emanated from His glorious light.
This brings us to a really interesting point of contention: When were the angels created?
Those who believe God worked alone insist the angels weren’t around on the first day. But others, who envision a collaborative creation, argue that every type of angel was brought into being on that very first day, making God’s creation a shared endeavor. Psalm 33:6 says, "By the word of Yahweh the heavens were made, and all the hosts of angels by the breath of His mouth.” Since breath comes before speech, some interpret this to mean the angels were created first.
But not so fast! Others argue that God, in His infinite power, reversed the usual order, creating with the word before breath had even emanated from His mouth. Thus, the heavens came first, and the angels followed.
Regardless of when they were created, pretty much everyone agrees that angels play a vital role after creation. Every single day, before the sun rises, angels guide it through a heavenly stream, cooling it down to prevent it from scorching the earth. Then, they guide the sun on its journey across the sky.
Angels also serve as God’s messengers. When sent to our world, they take on bodies made of air or fire. Psalm 104:4 tells us, "He made His angels winds." When delivering God’s word, they become winds; when ministering to Him, they become fire. They might appear in human form, but once their task is complete, they shed their temporary bodies and return to their spiritual state. Think of it like a divine costume change!
According to tradition, each element also has an angelic prince presiding over it. Gabriel is the Prince of Fire, Rahab the Prince of the Sea, Ridya the Prince of Rain, and Michael the Prince of Hail. And then there are the four archangels – Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael – who surround God’s throne. This is why, in the prayers recited before sleep, we say, "May Michael be at my right hand, Gabriel at my left, before me Uriel, behind me Raphael; and above my head the Divine Presence of God."
Now, the differing accounts of when the angels were created are directly tied to the question of their role in creation. The Book of Jubilees, dating back to the first century, places their creation on the first day, suggesting their availability to assist God. But this raised concerns about God's singularity, so later texts, like Targum Pseudo-Yonathan on Genesis 1:26, Midrash Konen, and Pirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer 4, place their creation on the second or even the fifth day. Pirkei de-Rabbi Eliezer specifies that angels created on the second day transform into winds as messengers and fire when ministering before God. Genesis Rabbah 1:3 pushes it even further, placing their creation on the fifth day!
The rejection of angelic participation in Creation really gained traction around the third century. The day of their creation becomes crucial – earlier creation implies possible assistance, which some traditions sought to avoid, emphasizing God’s sole role.
So, what does this all mean? It shows us how our understanding of creation, of God’s role, and of the place of angels has evolved over time. It's a reminder that even within ancient traditions, there's room for discussion, for different interpretations, and for a constant re-evaluation of our place in the universe. And isn't that what makes these stories so endlessly fascinating?