The ministering angels said to him: Moses! This Torah has been given only for our sakes. Moses replied to them: It is written in the Torah, "Honour thy father || and thy mother" (Ex. 20:12). Have ye then father and mother? Again, it is written in the Torah, "When a man dieth in the tent" (Num. 19:14). Does death happen among you? They were silent, and did not answer anything further.
Hence (the sages) say: Moses went up to the heavenly regions with his wisdom, and brought down the might of the trust of the ministering angels, as it is said, "A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof" (Prov. 21:22). When the ministering angels saw that the Holy One, blessed be He, gave the Torah to Moses, they also arose and gave unto him presents and letters and tablets for healing the sons of man, as it is said, "Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led thy captivity captive; thou hast received gifts among men" (Ps. 68:19).