מִימִינִי מִיכָאֵל | "Mikhael is on my right," the angelic invocation for divine protection from the Ḳriyat Shema al haMitah

Source Link: https://opensiddur.org/?p=31502

Date: 2020-05-16

Last Updated: 2025-03-27

Categories: Bedtime Shema

Tags: Angelic Protection, Angels, apotropaic prayers of protection, Before Sleep, danger, night, sleep, שכינה Shekhinah

Excerpt: The "angels on all sides" formula included with the Bedtime Shema service in many contemporary siddurim. . . .

Content:

Source (Hebrew)	Translation (English)
בְּשֵׁם יְיָ אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִימִינִי מִיכָאֵל וּמִשְּׂמֹֽאלִי גַּבְרִיאֵל וּמִלְּפָנַי אֽוּרִיאֵל וּמֵאָחוֹרַי רְפָאֵל וְעַל רֹאשִׁי שְׁכִֽינַת אֵל׃	In the name of YHVH Elohei Yisrael – May Mikhael be at my right, and Gavriel at my left, before me, Uriel, and behind me, Refael, and above my head, the Shekhinah of El.

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That almost every organism on Earth must sleep and is thereby vulnerable to danger from predators in their resting state is a reality known deep inside us. In this prayer, whose lineage dates back through our oldest siddurim (Seder Rav Amram Gaon and Maḥzor Vitry) and into the age of amulet bowls and still further, numinous forces are invoked to protect us on our journey through sleep and back into wakefulness. The image is one of a traveler, their path illuminated, their safety secured by powerful guardians, and their progress blessed by divine grace. (For some further thoughts on the angelic entourage and its relationship to the divine chariot, go here.) –Aharon Varady

Source(s)

 

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Contributor: Unknown Author(s)

Co-authors:

• 
  Name: Unknown Author(s)
  Bio: Sometimes the best we can do in attributing a historical work is to indicate the period and place it was written, the first prayer book it may have been printed in, or the archival collection in which the manuscript was found. We invite the public to help to attribute all works to their original composers. If you know something not mentioned in the commentary offered, please leave a comment or contact us.
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  Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/unknown
• 
  Name: Aharon N. Varady (transcription)
  Bio: Aharon Varady (M.A.J.Ed./JTSA Davidson) is a volunteer transcriber for the Open Siddur Project. If you find any mistakes in his transcriptions, please let him know. Shgiyot mi yavin; Ministarot naqeni שְׁגִיאוֹת מִי־יָבִין; מִנִּסְתָּרוֹת נַקֵּנִי "Who can know all one's flaws? From hidden errors, correct me" (Psalms 19:13). If you'd like to directly support his work, please consider donating via his Patreon account. (Varady also translates prayers and contributes his own original work besides serving as the primary shammes of the Open Siddur Project and its website, opensiddur.org.)
  Website: https://aharon.varady.net
  Profile Link: https://opensiddur.org/profile/aharon-varady-transcription

Featured Image:

Title: LUNA (Mantegna tarot) with explanation
Caption: Luna (Moon) in the so-called Tarocchi Cards of Mantegna. Engraving by Hans Ladenspelder in the Collection of the British Museum.