It turns out, even Samael, often described as the chief of the demonic realm, the accuser, the adversary (and sometimes confused with Satan, though that's a whole other story!), has to do some serious detective work. This is a snippet from Legends of the Jews, that incredible compilation of rabbinic lore by Louis Ginzberg, and it paints a fascinating picture.

So, Samael is on the hunt for none other than Moses, the son of Amram. Where does an angel start looking? Naturally, the "Court of the Dead." That's where Dumah hangs out. Dumah, you see, is the angel who guards the souls of the deceased. Imagine his job! Samael asks him point blank: "Hast thou seen the son of Amram?"

Dumah's reply is intriguing. "I heard the words of lamentation for him in heaven, but I have not seen him." Think about that for a moment. Even in the celestial realms, there's a sense of mourning, of loss. But Moses himself? Still missing.

Undeterred, Samael presses on. He goes to the other angels, posing the same question: "Have ye seen the son of Amram?" And they give him the same answer as Dumah! Talk about a frustrating search. But the angels aren’t completely unhelpful. They suggest that Samael try his luck with the mortals. Maybe, just maybe, they'll know something.

Now, this is where the story takes a beautiful turn. Samael approaches the mortals and asks, "Where is Moses?" Their response? Pure reverence. "Our teacher Moses is not like human beings," they declare. "He is the peer of the angels of ministry, for he ascended into heaven and dwelt in heaven like the angels." They go on, quoting Proverbs 30:4, "'he hath gathered the wind in his fists' like an angel," a testament to Moses' immense power and connection to the Divine. And then, the kicker: "God took his soul to Himself in the place of His sanctity."

Wow.

What a powerful testament to Moses' legacy! The mortals recognize that Moses has transcended earthly limitations. He is elevated, sanctified, beyond Samael's reach. "What connection then hast thou with the son of Amram?" they ask, essentially telling Samael he's out of his league.

It makes you wonder, doesn't it? What was Samael's agenda? Why was he so intent on finding Moses? And what does it say about Moses' character that even in death, he inspired such awe and devotion? Perhaps it's a reminder that true greatness isn't about power or dominion, but about the lasting impact we have on the world and the hearts of those we touch. And sometimes, that impact elevates us to a place where even the mightiest angels can't find us.