An Angel Among Us: Lessons From Three Strangers

When we think of angels, our minds often wander to the cherubic figures of Renaissance art—winged babies or serene, glowing beings. In the Bible, however, angels tell a different story. Especially in the early chapters of Genesis, angels are not the ethereal creatures we imagine. From the fiery sword-bearers guarding the Garden of Eden to the giants who cavorted with humans before the Flood, biblical angels often appear in more complex and mysterious forms. In fact, many angels are so nondescript, they are indistinguishable from humans. When they appear, they are often referred to as “men” (anashim).

Take, for example, the three angels who visit Abraham and Sarah in this week’s Torah portion, Va’era. The Torah tells us that “Abraham lifted his eyes and saw three men (anashim) standing near him” (Genesis 18:2). These are no glowing, supernatural beings. They are common men with dusty feet and hearty appetites. They arrive with a message and a less than divine carry a divine sense of humor. The Talmud (Bava Metzia 86b) identifies these men as Archangels—Michael, who brings the news that Sarah will bear a son; Gabriel, who will destroy Sodom and rescue Lot; and Raphael, who provides comfort and healing to Abraham after his brit milah (circumcision).

Angels, as we understand them, are created for a specific purpose, and once their mission is complete, they fade away. (Archangels seem to be the exception to this rule.) People, however, are granted numerous opportunities to fulfill multiple purposes throughout their lives. We, who are “but little lower than the angels” (Psalm 8:5), are, in some ways, their envy, for we have the gift of choice and the potential to accomplish so much in our relatively short time on Earth.

Abraham’s angels may have appeared as ordinary men, but the message is clear: we, too, can embody angelic qualities in our everyday lives. We don’t need a disguise; we just need to show up as we are.

Jewish tradition teaches: “In a place where there is no Ish (person/mentch), strive to be that ish” (Pirkei Avot 2:5). In a world that often feels lacking in humanity, we are called to embody the traits of kindness, justice, and compassion. Our tradition doesn’t demand that we perform miraculous feats. It simply calls us to be human—to act with integrity, to care for others, and to stand for what is right. Like the angels of the Bible, each of us has a unique mission, one that we can only discover through our lived experiences. As heirs to Abraham’s covenant, we also have a mission –  to be a blessing to the world—a message that continues to unfold.

To be an angel today is not about having supernatural powers or performing grand gestures. It’s about the quiet courage to show up when others need us most. It’s about stepping into our roles, sometimes unexpectedly, as healers, comforters, and voices of justice in a world that desperately needs those qualities. Abraham’s angels were human in form, and so are we—flawed and imperfect messengers capable of grace and transformation.

The message is simple: we don’t need to be extraordinary; we just need to be  human. So, let us be the angels the world needs—no wings required.