מלכים א, פרק י״ט, פסוק ה׳

Seeking temporary refuge in the arid desert, Elijah collapses from complete physical and mental exhaustion. He falls into a deep sleep that soon brings divine intervention and renewed strength for the journey ahead. The narrative emphasizes his exact resting place beneath a solitary desert bush, drawing attention to his harsh surroundings. Since he was already described as sitting under such a plant, his position is highlighted again to underscore the severe conditions and his total isolation. Unable to find proper shelter or even two bushes close enough together to shade his entire body as he stretched out, he was forced to squeeze into the inadequate shade of a single plant [רד״ק, מצודת דוד].

Alternatively, the unfolding events might involve two completely different bushes. In this sequence, the first bush was small and only provided enough shade for sitting, prompting Elijah to move to a second, larger bush with a wider canopy suitable for lying down [מלבי״ם]. Taking this idea further into the miraculous, this second shelter may not have been a natural plant at all. Instead, it was an angel, appearing to Elijah as a thick bush. God sent this angel to hover over him and shield him in his sleep [מלבי״ם, אלשיך].

The arrival of this heavenly being was immediate; the very moment Elijah fell asleep, the angel swiftly appeared [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. A physical touch followed, serving the simple purpose of waking him. On a deeper spiritual level, resting under the protective shade of this divine being allowed Elijah's soul to elevate during sleep, absorbing spiritual energy meant to purify his physical body. Yet, because this purification was not entirely complete and he still required earthly nourishment, the angel instructed him to eat. This meal was essential to maintain the vital connection between his physical body and his soul [אלשיך].