ANGELIC REFLECTION

Dvora Waysman’s depiction of encounters with angels (“Meeting some angels,” July 22) reminds me of a story. While visiting his rebbe, a man expressed his desire to meet the prophet Elijah. The rebbe instructed him to travel to a certain village for the upcoming holidays. Taking provisions along, he reached the village and found lodging at the home of a poor widow, who had almost no food for her large family. Naturally, the visitor shared what he had.

After the holiday, he returned to the rebbe, telling him that he had not encountered the prophet. The rebbe told him to return to the village for the next holiday. This time, he brought enough food to feed the whole family, but still didn’t meet Elijah.

Upon the advice of the rebbe, he returned a third time to the home of the widow. As he neared the door, he heard one of the children cry out to his mother, “Mommy, Elijah the prophet is here again!”

Look into a mirror, you might see an angel.

BRENDA BRONNER

Jerusalem