In
Eabbinical writings we are told that if a man fulfilled one of the
commandments, one angel was bestowed upon him ; if he fulfilled two
commandments, he received two angels ; if, however, he fulfilled all
the commandments, many angels were given him. This was a literal
construction of the text Ps. xci, 11: "For he shall give his angels charge over thee." These angels were believed to shield the believer from the attacks of evil spirits.11
The Mohammedan Atlas, the angel appointed by God to bear the earth on his shoulders, was given a rock of ruby to
ω Barrett, " The Magus," London, 1801, p. 138.
u Weber, " Jüdische Theologie," 2d ed., Leipzig, 1897.
