Genesis 18 Abraham entertains 3 men and offers them food,water,and shade. He even offers to wash thier feet. Well thay accept and then in verse 10 the Torah states that one of the three was the L—D then in verse 14 the Torah states that Abraham’s guest said (I AM THE L—D) I heard a Rabbi say that G-d doesn’t ever ever take physical form. What about Genesis chapter#18?

Hi,
Thanks for asking this question. This is a classis case of why reading the text without a classic commentator like Rashi or one like him can be dangerous.

In this passage that you quoted, Genesis 18:3, Abraham is visiting with God himself. Three “men” come by and he leaves God to welcome his visitors. This was 3 days after his self inflicted circumcision. The lesson is that Abraham left God to welcome strangers. This is how we should be to guests. We should always welcome guests with a smile and leave even someone as important as God if people come by. Nobody is less important thatn anyone else. The wording here, therefore, according to most commentators, is referring to God. Abraham is not speaking to the “men.” Abraham is imploring God not to leave while he welcomes the guests. Therefore, the Torah is not referring to God with human features here.

However, it is important to note that there are times when God is referred to with human features. The Torah conveys Hashem’s greatness by giving us the analogy that we understand; ourselves. There is nothing wrong with understanding the, “Outstretched hand,” of God and realizing the power of it. That does not give Him any less than infinite power. It allows us to understand it better.

You are right. God is not human. We are. Therefore, we sometimes need to understand God in our limited, human ways. God knows that and tells us through His Torah that the Torah was given to humans to understand and relate to.

Be Well,
Rabbi Gershon Litt

I also beleive that G-D is not a man. But, who was in the furnace with Sharach, Mishach, and Adindago? And who fought in the wilderness with Jacob?

If you read Daniel, King Abuchnadnetzar is referring to an “Angel.” He specifically refers to this entity as “His Angel.” You are correct in associating this entity with the entity that attacked Jacob, when he fought and his name was changed to Israel. The answer is that this was not God, but rather this was a malaach, an angel. In Jewish thought, an angel is not some lofty spiritual being that floats around and does nice things for people. An angel is an emissary of God. He can only do one mission and is then pulled back to God. God gives an angel a command and he must obey. Angels have no free will. If you want to know more about Judaism and angels I highly suggest you read Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato’s book entitled, Derech Hashem, The Way of God. No commentaries say that this is God, himself, every legitimate Torah commentator says that an angel of God was sent to wrestle with Jacob.

Similarly, with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, an angel of God saved their lives because he was commanded to by Hashem. The fact that they were not burned is also not unique. Abraham was also thrown into a furnace and survived unscathed. God, Himself, never takes Human form in the Torah. He appears to Moshe in a powerful form of prophecy, but when the Jewish people just “heard” two words from God they could not stand it and died. God resurrected them and Moses had to get the rest of the Ten Commandments himself. There are many times when God is described in human form, but never does He need to take human form in order to communicate with His people.

Be Well,
Rabbi Gershon Litt