- Jacob Chanikuzhy
Rabbi Matthew bar Heresh was an ardent student of the Torah who constantly immersed himself in its study. As he was righteous through and through, he would never look at other women. Satan was deeply envious of the rabbi’s righteousness. He believed it was completely impossible for human beings to live an absolutely righteous life in this world. So he asked God what He thought of Rabbi Matthew bar Heresh. God confirmed that Rabbi Matthew was indeed totally righteous. Satan then asked God for permission to test the rabbi, and God allowed it.
Satan disguised himself as a beautiful woman and tried to distract Rabbi Matthew. Realizing that Satan would persist in trying to trap him, Rabbi Matthew blinded himself using hot pins. Satan was dismayed and reported this to God. God then sent Archangel Raphael, His healing agent, to heal Rabbi Matthew. Raphael appeared to the rabbi and revealed his identity and purpose. The rabbi replied that he didn’t need healing, lest his evil inclination gain the upper hand. Raphael returned to God and conveyed the rabbi’s response. God then commanded Raphael to assure the rabbi that his evil inclination would not prevail. Upon receiving this divine assurance, Rabbi Matthew accepted the healing.
Although Raphael is not the chief among the seven archangels before God’s throne (Tobit 12, 15), he is a favourite in rabbinic stories, as he is the angel of healing and the Prince of Peace. According to the rabbis (Midrash Konen), God consulted the angels before creating human beings. They had differing views. When God consulted the angels under the command of Chief Archangel Michael, they scornfully replied: “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?” The same reply came from the angelic hosts under Archangel Gabriel. Only the angels under Archangel Raphael approved of God’s plan to create human beings and promised Him that they would minister to them. No wonder, in the Bible, the longest story narrated about an angel is attributed to the human friendly Archangel Raphael, in the Book of Tobit. The very meaning of his name – God heals/God has healed – is comforting.
The suffering of the innocent has always baffled many believers and prompted unbelievers to question the existence of a benign, almighty God. Although Tobit was faithful to God and engaged in acts of piety and charity, he endured great misfortune. Likewise, the pious woman Sarah, the would-be wife of Tobit’s son, underwent unspeakable experiences of horror and humiliation. Yet in the midst of their trials, both remained faithful to God. In the end, Tobit was restored to health, wealth, and honour. Sarah was blessed with a joyful married life. Their story teaches that sometimes God allows suffering as a test. Both Tobit and Sarah withstood the test and were promptly rewarded by God. Their story is a perennial source of comfort and strength for all who undergo unexplainable suffering.
In the Book of Tobit, the angel Raphael appears as an ordinary human being, even as a hired servant. Although his primary duty was to guide Tobias to the house of Gabael in Media, Raphael did much more for Tobias and his family. Like a friend, he accompanied him on his journey; like a guide, he showed him the way to an unknown place; like a guard, he protected from all dangers and brought him back to his parents; like an elder, he instructed Tobias to keep the liver, gall, and heart of the fish; like a matchmaker, he arranged the marriage between Tobias and Sarah; like an exorcist, he expelled the demon Asmodeus; like a middleman, he retrieved the money from Gabael; like a psychologist, he comforted and counseled Tobias in his anguish; like a physician, he healed Tobit’s blindness with the appropriate medicine; like a mentor, he encouraged Tobit and Tobias to praise and thank God for all the blessings.
The constant assistance of the angel Raphael in the journey of Tobias clearly illustrates the operation of divine providence in the day-to-day lives of those who trust in the Lord. Angel Raphael helped Tobit in every need without giving the slightest impression of being extraordinary or performing dramatic miracles. This teaches that God is fully present with us in the ordinary circumstances of life and that He guides and guards us through ordinary people and their simple, quiet interventions.
