Yochai in All Places You Find the Angel of the Lord

Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Mekhilta Tractate Vayehi Beshalach 5:4 View source
Curated by Maggid·Edited by Arthur Sabintsev·

R. Nathan asked R. Shimon b. Yochai: In all places you find "the angel of the L–rd ("yod-keh-vav-keh"), (Genesis 16:7) "and an angel of the L–rd found her", (Ibid. 9) "and the angel of the L–rd said to her", (Exodus 3:2) "and an angel of the L–rd appeared to him". And here it is written "and the angel of G–d (Elokim) turned." (Why is this so?) He answered: "elohim" in all places is a judge. We are hereby apprised that Israel were being judged at that time, whether to be rescued or to be destroyed with the Egyptians (for themselves having succumbed to idolatry.)

Themes

MosesAngelsHoly Land

Biblical References

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