Old Tobi, from the Book of Tobit, definitely knew that feeling.

Here’s a scene: Tobi, blind and worried about his son Tobias's perilous journey, needs a reliable guide. He finds one – seemingly. But before entrusting his son to this stranger, Tobi does something… well, very Jewish. He starts asking questions. Lots of questions.

“Life and peace to thee!” Tobi begins, all pleasantries. But then he gets right to it. “Now therefore, my brother, be not provoked with me for that I enquire to know the matter of the ancestors of thy family…” In other words: "Who are your people?"

Why does Tobi do this? It’s not just idle curiosity. As he explains, “…thou art of a good and honourable family, and also thou knowest Hananel and Nathan, the two sons of the great Shelomith…” He’s checking credentials, lineage, seeing if this person shares his values and his commitment to Klal Yisrael, the community of Israel. He even name-drops mutual acquaintances – Hananel and Nathan, sons of Shelomith – people he knows are righteous and didn’t “stray after the strange gods of the land, like our brethren.”

This is more than just a background check. It's about shared history, shared faith, a shared understanding of what's truly important. It's about finding someone trustworthy in a world filled with uncertainty. It’s a reminder that we often rely on our connections, our community, to guide us.

Think about it. When you need help, who do you turn to? Often, it's someone recommended by a friend, someone whose values you already know and trust. Tobi’s actions resonate because they tap into a deeply human need for connection and assurance.

Having (presumably) satisfied himself, Tobi then offers the guide a generous deal. "Go in peace with my son, and come ye back in peace with the help of God, and I will give thy wages, a drachm every day, and thy food as for my son..." A drachm was a Greek silver coin – a good day's wage. He's promising fair compensation and treating the guide as an equal, almost like family. And then, with a touch of hopeful generosity, “…if the Holy One (blessed is he) bring you back in peace, I will yet add to thy wages.” He’s not just paying for a service; he’s investing in a blessing.

And the angel? Because, of course, it is an angel – though Tobi doesn't know it yet. The angel's response is simple, direct, and filled with divine reassurance: "Fear not, for I will go with thy son, and we shall go in peace, and we shall return in peace."

It’s a powerful moment. A blind man, relying on faith and community, unknowingly hires an angel. It speaks volumes about the power of trust, the importance of connection, and the unseen forces that may be guiding us along our own journeys. What Tobi couldn't see with his eyes, he perceived with his heart – and that made all the difference.

So, the next time you're facing a difficult decision, remember Tobi. Ask the hard questions, seek out trusted companions, and have faith that even in the darkest of times, you are not alone. Maybe, just maybe, there's an angel walking alongside you, too.