We read toward the beginning of Parashat Vayishlach of Yaakov’s trepidation upon hearing that Esav was approaching with an army of four hundred men. Chizkuni, commenting to the Torah’s description of Yaakov’s fear (32:8), raises the question of why he did not feel assured by the presence of the angels that had joined him. The final verse of Parashat Vayetze tells that after Yaakov took leave of Lavan, he was met by angels, and many commentators explain that these angels had come to protect him along his journey back home. If so, Chizkuni asks, then why was Yaakov afraid? Did he doubt the angels’ ability to defend him against his brother?
Chizkuni cites those who explain that Yaakov was met by two angels – Michael, his “guardian angel,” and Samael, the “guardian angel” of Esav. Michael had come to assist him, but Samael had come to assist Esav. And so Yaakov had reason to fear.
Chizkuni’s comments bring to mind the famous passage in Masekhet Shabbat (119b) that forms the basis of the widespread, cherished custom to sing “Shalom Aleikhem” before beginning the Friday night meal. The Talmud relates that two ministering angels accompany a person home from the synagogue on Friday night, one “good” angel and one “bad” angel. If the house is properly prepared for Shabbat, then the “good” angel blesses the family, and the “bad” angel is forced to answer “amen.” But in the opposite case, the “bad” angel expresses his wish that the home should be in this state the following week, as well, and the “good” angel is forced to respond “amen.” The Gemara here conveys the message that Shabbat, the “mekor ha-berakha” (source of blessing), can provide immense benefits to us and our families, as an opportunity to redirect our focus away from our work responsibilities and onto the more meaningful aspects of life, especially family and learning. But these benefits are not guaranteed. When Shabbat begins, a person is joined by two “angels” – he faces two possibilities: he can reap the priceless benefits that the Shabbat experience offers, or he could squander the opportunity and be left with nothing.
Chizkuni’s description of Yaakov’s situation as he embarked on the next stage of his life perhaps teaches that this is true not only on Shabbat, but in life generally. God sends us all many “angels,” such as our physical wellbeing, assets, skills, family and friends, free time, and so on. But each “angel” can work either for us or against us – either “Michael” or “Samael” – depending on how we use them. We must remember that with every “Michael” comes “Samael”; every blessing in our lives can also become a curse if it is not used properly. Recognizing the potential blessing and curse latent within everything we have will help ensure that we utilize them all for beneficial purposes, and that all the “angels” God sends our way will be a source of success, security and prosperity for us and the entire nation.