Did God appear to Avraham?

The Mystery of the 3 Angelic Beings appearing to Avraham

These questions flowing from our Parashat Vayerah, this week, may hold an astounding answer which could rattle the foundations both of Judaism and Christian Messianism.

If true and if possible to tempt both sides (which are actually The House of Judah and the House of 10-Israel / Ephraim) into humble revision of long held convictions which divided them, it may transpire as the reconciling factor to solve a 2700 year Family Feud and bring the re-uniting of the 12 Tribes which are required to pre-empt the Final Redemption (Geulah) and the establishment of the Ruling King, the God of Israel in His Universal Kingdom. Judaism defines this Rule as the Rule of Mashiach (a term NEVER used in any of the Scriptures referring to this Rule). Christianity awards this Rule to their ‘Mashiach’, the ‘Son’ of the God of Israel – equally a term NEVER used in all of authentic Scripture for any of their claims for their Messiah (Tanach / O.T.)

A fundamental concept that has to be considered in the discussion of this topic is that God hides Himself. The Rabbis explain that HaShem removed His Shecinah (Presence) from this World after His Kingdom split in two (in the Time of Solomon’s Rule) and that His Shechinah is to return at the Final Redemption. From the Kol Hator platform we maintain, founded on the Scriptures, that the Final Redemption can NOT come about without we, the two divided factions of His Nation, making peace and reconcile.

If neither side is perfectly clear on what the true Identity of their ‘Messiah’ is, perhaps there is reason for reconciling with acknowledgement of this lack of certainty about a ‘Messiah’ which so greatly divides them – in fact, a non-definitive issue.

Parashat Vayerah may hold the hidden solution for defining the real foundations of the Ruling Kingdom to come of which BOTH factions of this Family feud has to be intrinsically part.

Apart from the question about the 3 ‘Angels’ in this Parashah, there is the main question of “Can / did / does God appear to man?” Many readers will simply close the book on any further contemplation.  The evidence though that our selected commentaries on this Parashah will present here from Kosher sources, are sure to hold irrefutable reasons for re-consideration of the long held religious traditions which so destructively divide the Elect Nation of HaShem – on BOTH sides.

Did God Appear to Avraham?

 Our Parshah label for this week presents an answer:  “Vayerah” – (appeared). Parashot are labeled by the introductory words in the Scripture sections:

Gen. 18

Do we believe this? Maimonides suggested that where such distinct statements appear which refer to a physical appearance of HaShem, it is not to be interpreted as such. There are other contra Rabbinic interpretations – as on all topics.

The somewhat confusing grammatical evidence in Gen. 18 & 19 dealing with this appearance of 3 ‘Angels’ seems to be evidence of a Mystery underlying this Section, Sometimes the grammar uses verbs in the singular (for 3 beings) other times plural – even in the same sentence! And then there is the “presence of God Himself”. Is that part of the 3 Angels or a separate Presence? Repeatedly in Gen. 18 & 19 these appearances or presence of the Shechinah (according to some of our Jewish Sages) are defined as being HaShem, by His 4-letter Name.  (

Please now refer to our various Parashiot comprehensive commentaries herewith:

• Parashat Vayera – Don’t Feed the Angels
• God’s Appearance to Abraham: Vision or Visit? (Prof.Ben-Zion Katz M.D., thetorah.com)

And also do a Google Search for:

• “Tikkun Soferim”,  and
• “Tikkun Soferim regarding Gen 18 the appearance of the 3 angels”

For exhaustive sources on this topic.

These are not the only “appearances of HaShem to man” in the Scriptures. There are several, of which:

• His Appearance to Moses as a Burning Bush;
• His appearance to Ya’akov as “a wrestling man”
• His appearance to Manoah and his wife, where He identified Himself using the Name that Isa. 9:5 uses ‘Wonderful’ (Peleh) which relates to ‘’Mighty God, Eternal father’). (Ref. Judges 13 which refers to “Malach HaShem – by His 4-letter Name throughout). When ‘the Angel descended to heaven from them, they feared that they were going to die for “having seen God” – vs. 21,22).
• to Balaam He spoke out of a donkey.
• etc. etc.

A factor which does not seem to be considered by commentators is the ‘omnipresence’ of HaShem. In essence He is a Spiritual being. If He is omnipotent and has omniscience, then surely He has the capacity to manifest Himself as a ‘Fire in the Bush’ which Moses noted to be extraordinary. As he approached, He was warned to take of His shoes as he was now on Holy Ground! And thus He could speak from “within a donkey” to Balaam. And He could manifest Himself as a Pillar of Fire and a Cloud by Day to protect and lead His People in Exodus? In every instance He still remains simultaneously as omnipresent Spirit being beyond the sight of mortal man who would be devoured by His Full Glory. In the case of Sodom, He required 3 Beings to perform the destruction of the evil community that wanted to sodomize ‘Him’ – whether it be ‘Angels’ or else. How much more if it was HaShem Himself? This sheds an entire new light on the destruction of Sodom. And mote the concluding Scriptural statement:

Gen. 19

Can the Appearance of ‘The Mashiach’ (a non-existing term for such a Being in Scripture”) refer to “The Appearance of HaShem Himself” – as Scripture does claim consistently?

If we are divided on the reality behind Parashat Vayerah’s ‘appearances’, could there possibly be another reality through which HaShem hides Himself to mankind – till “that Day” – when “Every eye shall see Him and every knee shall bow before Him?”

There is more than meets the eye in this Mystery. We are living in Daniel 12:4’s Time of End Time Revelation. We have presented much kosher evidence in this Parashat commentary – be SURE to delve thoroughly into it.