The ancient rabbis certainly did. And they found evidence of it woven throughout the stories of our ancestors. to a fascinating little gem from Midrash Tehillim (a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Psalms) that explores just this idea.

The passage opens with a sweeping statement: “They journeyed from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another.” Who are "they"? Well, the Midrash immediately clarifies: we’re talking about Abraham and Sarah, our founding couple. Remember the story? A famine hits Canaan, and as Genesis 12:10 tells us, “Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land."

But here's the intriguing part. The Midrash emphasizes that even in a foreign land, facing potential danger, Abraham and Sarah were protected. "No one was allowed to oppress them," it says, "these Egyptians." Kings like Abimelech and Pharaoh, powerful rulers, were even rebuked for their actions. As Genesis 12:17 recounts, "But the Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife."

So, what's the message here? It's more than just a historical anecdote. Rabbi Berechiah steps in with a powerful interpretation: "Do not touch My anointed ones," he says, referring to the Patriarchs. And then, extending the idea, "And in the Prophets, do not harm My prophets," referring to the prophetesses.

This isn't just about physical protection; it's about a divine mandate. A hands-off policy, if you will. Abraham, Sarah, and all those who carry the torch of prophecy are under a special kind of guardianship. They are Moshiach, anointed, set apart.

But how does this protection work? Is it always obvious? The Midrash anticipates this question and offers a glimpse into the more subtle ways divine guidance operates.

Rabbi Yudan, quoting Rabbi Isaac, brings in the story of Rebekah and her sons, Jacob and Esau. Genesis 27:42 says, "And Rebekah was told of the words of Esau." But here's the puzzle: Genesis 27:41 tells us, "Esau spoke to himself." So, who told Rebekah?

The answer, according to the Midrash, is profound: "It was the Ruach HaKodesh," the Holy Spirit, that told her. Ruach HaKodesh, that whisper of divine inspiration, that intuition that guides us even when we can't see the source. It’s that feeling you get when you just know something, even if you can’t explain how.

What does this all mean for us? It suggests that divine protection and guidance aren't always about dramatic plagues or overt miracles. Sometimes, it's about that quiet voice within, that subtle nudge in the right direction. It's about being open to the possibility that even when we feel alone, we are part of something larger, something that watches over us, and guides us on our journey. Maybe, just maybe, we too are under that same divine protection, in ways we can't always see.