Sifrei Devarim, a collection of legal midrashim (interpretations) on the Book of Deuteronomy, gives us a fascinating insight into this idea, focusing on Moses's final blessing to the Israelites.
The verse states: "wherewith Moses the man of G-d blessed the children of Israel." Sounds straightforward. But the Sifrei digs deeper. It points out that even if others had blessed Israel, their blessings would have had an effect. But because Moses – Moshe Rabbeinu, our teacher – blessed them, we learn something profound: that Moses was uniquely fit to bless Israel, and Israel was uniquely fit to be blessed by Moses. It wasn’t just about the words being spoken. It was about the connection, the relationship, the shared history between the one giving the blessing and the ones receiving it. The siddur (prayerbook) is full of prescribed blessings. But this is an entirely different level!
Now, let's unpack that title: "the man of G-d." It's a powerful descriptor, isn't it? It implies a closeness, a direct line to the Divine. And apparently, Moses wasn't alone in holding this title. The Sifrei goes on to list ten individuals in the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible, who are also called "the man of G-d." It’s almost like a divine club!
Who else made the list? There's Elkanah, as we see in I Samuel 2:27, when "And the man of G-d came to Eli." Then comes Samuel, no stranger to these stories, of course, mentioned in I Samuel 9:6: "Behold, there is a man of G-d in this city."
Even David, the king of Israel, makes the cut. Nehemiah 12:24 tells us of his commands, "by the command of David, the man of G-d." Think about the weight of that – his leadership seen as divinely inspired!
The list continues. We have Shemayah (I Kings 12:2), to whom "The word of the L-rd came… the man of G-d." Then there's Iddo (I Kings 13:1), who came from Judah "by the word of the L-rd" as "a man of G-d." And who could forget Eliyahu, Elijah, the prophet, featured in II Kings 1:13, where someone pleads, "Man of G-d, may my soul be worthy in your eyes." We also have Elisha, Elijah's successor (II Kings 4:9), whom a woman recognizes as "a holy man of G-d."
Rounding out the list are Michah (I Kings 20:28), who "came and spoke to the king of Israel," and Amotz (II Chronicles 25:7), to whom "a man of G-d came."
What does this list tell us? It's not just about performing miracles, though some on the list certainly did. It’s about a deep connection to G-d, a conduit for divine will, and a unique ability to impact the world through that connection. Each of these individuals, in their own way, embodied a profound relationship with the Divine.
So, the next time you think about a blessing, or about what it means to be close to the Divine, remember this passage. It's not just about the words, but about the person, the relationship, and the potential for a truly transformative connection. Who are the "men (or women) of G-d" in your life? And how can you strive to create that same kind of connection in your own life?