Angels... do they really exist? Can we talk to them?

In the Jewish tradition, there is a special kind of angel, which is called Maggid, or messenger/preaching angel. It is a sort of guardian angel, but with some very specific characteristics. Let us find what they are about.

A Maggid can be seen, but usually it enters the body of the person calling at it. Then, the kabbalist can hear its voice, or see it, as it happened directly inside his brain. Often, the kabbalist enters a sort of trance state and does not clearly remember what happened. There were important kabbalist receiving people, and the Maggid could be questioned and instruct them about any matter.

There is a tradition that certain books were written under the dictation of an angel. Fortunately, today we have a real diary of encounters with a Maggid, translated in English for the first time. The author faithfully records its teachings and comments them.

Here we have some extracts of Joseph Caro/Karo's Maggid Me-Yesharim (The Preaching Angel From The Straight Ones).

In the opening, the Maggid assures Caro that he is blessed by the Lord. However, he must distance from earthly thoughts and take care of the bond with his Creator. The reward is to be able to perform the same miracles the ancient ones used to do: “'The Lord is with you, etc.' (Judges 6:12) − if only you stick to Me, and you fear Me, and if you do not distance My teachings from your thoughts for even one moment. 'For as much as I made you prince over My people, etc.' (1 Kings 16:2) − is a warning for you not to separate for even one moment from fearing Me and the teachings from your mind. And you shall neither eat nor drink looking for pleasure at all, for of what use is the lust for pleasure in this world? Your mind must only think that, if the soul could exist into the body with no worldly pleasure, it would be very good. So, you must be always united to the Creator, and you will have the merit of doing miracles with your own hands, as the first Israelites used to do".

Caro's duties include helping the others, even the evil ones, to draw closer to their Creator: "And I will grant you the right of going up to the Land of Israel, and you will learn and reach. And you will restore many vessels that were lost. And you will have the merit of having thousands of students who will want to learn with you. And you will also have the merit of influencing some evil people, letting them repent, and this is the meaning of restoring the vessels that were lost.And I will grant you the right of going up to the Land of Israel, and you will learn and reach. And you will restore many vessels that were lost. And you will have the merit of having thousands of students who will want to learn with you. And you will also have the merit of influencing some evil people, letting them repent, and this is the meaning of restoring the vessels that were lost".

But the Maggid also anticipates earthly happening, such as when it describes the qualities of Caro's newborn: "And therefore, the son that will be born to you will be lightly dark and will also have a dark vision".

Sometimes, the Maggid corrects Caro's misconduct, pointing out at his mistakes and giving him a chance to become a better person: "Even though you separated yourself from thinking about My Torah and fearing Me, and even though you went after mundane pleasures, I will not abandon you, etc. If you only come back to think about My Torah and to fearing Me always, without interruption for even one second. And then, 'I will put my words in your mouth' (Isaiah 51:16)".

This wonderful pearl of Kabbalah was published in 4 volumes.

Previews are available clicking here and selecting the books.