It’s not all harps and halos, let me tell you. Some of them… well, they weren’t exactly thrilled with the idea.
According to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews, there were celestial debates, heavenly consultations, before we even arrived on the scene. Imagine the divine boardroom, angels gathered around, God presenting the "Human Project." Not everyone was sold.
We’ve already heard about the angels who questioned God's plan, who dared to ask, "What is man, that Thou art mindful of him?" (Psalm 8:5). And, boy, did they pay the price for their skepticism!
Then comes the story of the angel Labbiel. He commanded the third band of angels consulted about humanity’s creation. Smart guy, this Labbiel. He learned from the mistakes of those who came before him. He gathered his troop and gave them a serious pep talk.
"You have seen what misfortune overtook the angels who said 'What is man, that Thou art mindful of him?'" he warned. "Let us have a care not to do likewise, lest we suffer the same dire punishment. For God will not refrain from doing in the end what He has planned. Therefore it is advisable for us to yield to His wishes."
Can you imagine the tension? The weight of that decision? Labbiel, understanding the divine will, urged his angels to accept God's plan. It's a fascinating moment of celestial diplomacy, a recognition that sometimes, you just have to trust the process.
And so, warned and wiser, Labbiel’s angels spoke: "Lord of the world, it is well that Thou hast thought of creating man. Do Thou create him according to Thy will. And as for us, we will be his attendants and his ministers, and reveal unto him all our secrets."
Their acceptance pleased God so much that He changed Labbiel's name to Raphael, the Rescuer. Why Rescuer? Because his host of angels had been rescued by his sage advice. Raphael, the name itself, means "God heals." He was then appointed the Angel of Healing, the one who holds all the celestial remedies. Think of him as the divine doctor, keeper of the blueprints for all the medicines we use on Earth.
It's a beautiful story, isn't it? One that reminds us that even in the face of uncertainty, wisdom and acceptance can lead to unexpected blessings. And that perhaps, just perhaps, we’re all a little bit connected to the healing touch of an angel named Raphael. Food for thought, right?