12:7 A: Michael and his angels.
1. Michael. — See ample material about the archangel Michael in W.
Lueken, Michael. — On the name מיכאל see Num. Rab. 2 (137C) at § Luke 1:19 B;
Pesiq. Rab. 46 (188A) at § Rev 8:2, n. b.
— In rank Michael was the highest among the angels, the actual representative
of God (= the angel of Yahweh).a Therefore Israel is entrusted
especially to his carec (partly sharing this care with the angel
Gabriel).b As the patron of Israel, he defends them against all
accusations of Satand and will one day join in helping to bring
about the ultimate redemption of Israel.e
a. See b. Yoma 37A and Gen. Rab. 48 (30B) at
§ Luke 1:19 A, #3, n. e. ‖ Exodus
Rabbah 2 (68C): “The angel of Yahweh appeared to him” (Exod 3:2). R. Yohanan (†
279) said, “It was Michael”; R. Hanina (ca. 225) said, “It was Gabriel.…”
Everywhere where Michael appeared, the glory of the Shekinah (divinity) was
there.
b. See Exod. Rab. 18 (80C) at § Luke 1:19 A,
#4, n. f.
c. Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1. ‖ See 1 En.
20:1ff. at § Rev 8:2, n. a. ‖ In b.
Yoma 77A God says to Michael, “Michael, your nation (= Israel) has sinned.” ‖
See Tg. Pss. 137:7 at § Luke 1:19 A, #4, n. e.
‖ In ספר
חנוך (Beth ha-Midrash 5.187.1) Michael is called in brief שרם של ישראל “the (angel) prince of Israel.”
d. Exodus Rabbah 18 (80C): R. Yose (ca. 150? 350?) said, “Who are Michael and Sammael (= Satan) like? The defender
and the accuser who stand before the court: the one speaks and the other
speaks. If this one has ended his words and that defender notices that he has
overcome, then he begins to praise the judge that he renders the verdict. If
then that accuser tries to add (another) word, the defender says to him, ‘Be
silent so that we may hear the judge!’ So Michael and Sammael stand before the
Shekinah: Satan sues and Michael asserts the merit of Israel; if then Satan
(still) wishes to speak, Michael tells him to be silent; for it says, ‘I want
to hear what God Yahweh will speak (as judge), for he speaks peace to his
people’ (Ps 85:9).” ‖ Pesiqta Rabbati 44 (185A): “Turn, Israel; Yahweh is
witness” (so Hos 14:2 according to the midr.). The Israelites said to him,
“Lord of the world, if we repent, who will be a witness that you have accepted
us?” He said to them, “Your defender, that is, Michael; as it says, ‘And at
that time Michael will arise, the great prince, who stands by the sons of your
people’ (Dan 12:1).” (At Israel’s pleading, God declares himself ready to be
willing to be a witness for them himself.)
e. See § Matt 1:21 D, A, n. h. ‖ Exodus Rabbah 18 (80C.37): As God
carried out his deeds in this world through Michael and Gabriel, so too he will
carry them out through them in the future (= in the messianic age); for it
says, “Liberators will go up onto Mount Zion to judge the mountain of Esau (=
Rome)” (Obad 21). These are Michael and Gabriel. Our holy teacher (= Rabbi [†
217?]) said, “This is Michael all by himself; for it says, ‘In that time
Michael will arise …’ (Dan 12:1; see above). He arises for the needs of Israel
and speaks for them; as it says, ‘Then the angel of Yahweh (= Michael)
responded and said, “Yahweh Sabaoth, how long will you not have mercy on
Jerusalem?” (Zech 1:12), and furthermore, “There is no one who assists me
against them, as Michael, your prince” (Dan 10:21).’ ”
2. Michael and his angels. — This corresponds in the mouth of R. Levi
(ca. 300) to מִיכָאֵל
וְדִגְלוֹ
“Michael and his host (his banner)” in Midr. Song. 2:4 (97A); see also 6:10
(124B.2). (Hermann L. Strack and Paul Billerbeck, A Commentary on the New
Testament from the Talmud and Midrash, ed. Jacob N. Cerone, 4 vols. [trans.
Andrew Bowden and Joseph Longarino; Bellingham, Wash.: Lexham Press, 2021], 3:952-53)
