Mar 3, 2022
What’s in a name of an angel?
The following is highlights of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ6U3blQZJA
In Vayishlach, Yaakov wrestles with the man AKA angel and they speak of names.
Also see similar name episode by Shimshon’s parents (Judges 13:17–18).
Why do people want to know the angels’ names and why do the angels refuse Why must they stay anonymous?
Ramban says this teaches us that angels are truly powerless — all their power comes from G-D, so a person would be mistaken to call on an angel instead of G-D. G-D and He alone should be the recipient of our prayers, as G-D & He alone can help us — see Rambam principle #5.
When it comes to earthly rulers we’d have to go through a battery of bureaucrats or assistants to get a meeting with them, and the best we can do is often to find someone who has their ear and ask to pass our message along.
Not so with G-D. We need no intermediaries. We pray directly to Him.
Still, some prayers addressed to angels have made their way into the prayer book [v’chisei rachamim and (pre-) yamim noraim selichot] — some t
[and also the custom to go to graves of tzaddikim, and to ask of living sages to bestow blessings on us] — this can be compared to the 3-part Priestly blessing as specified in Numbers. The Priests aren’t blessing the nation directly, rather they are serving as conduits to facilitate / draw down G-D’s blessings to the people, on the merit of their service to Him on behalf of the people.]
