Sandalphon- Hebrew/Jewish AngelAngel"Angel of Glory"

The Prayer Crowns

The Talmud in Hagigah 13b describes him: an angel who stands on the earth while his head reaches the living creatures of the divine chariot. He is taller than his fellows by a distance of five hundred years' journey. He stands behind the chariot-throne and wraps crowns for his Maker.

Human prayers rise from below. Sandalphon gathers them and weaves them into crowns, which he places on God's head. The Zohar ties this act to the Kedushah, the moment when Israel on earth and the angels in heaven together declare "Holy, holy, holy." At that instant, the prayers become a crown.

The Chariot of Fire

Sandalphon was once the prophet Elijah. In 2 Kings, Elijah and his disciple Elisha walked together toward the Jordan. Elijah struck the water with his mantle, and it parted. They crossed on dry ground. As they walked on the far side, a chariot of fire and horses of fire came between them, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha watched, crying: "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" He never saw Elijah again.

Elijah did not die. He became Sandalphon, standing at the far end of heaven, his twin Metatron, once the prophet Enoch, standing near the throne.

The Chair

At every brit milah, a chair is set for Elijah. He is believed to attend each circumcision and bear witness. The prophet who ascended in fire and became the angel who weaves prayer into crowns also watches over the entrance of each new soul into the covenant. The chair stands empty and visible beside the infant.