Another matter: “Behold, I am sending an angel” (Exodus 23:20) – that is what is written: “I had said: You are divine beings, celestial beings, all of you” (Psalms 82:6). When the children of Israel stood at Sinai and received the Torah, the Holy One blessed be He said to the angel of death, ‘You have license against all the idolaters, but you have no license against this nation, as they are My portion.
Just as I live and endure, so My children endure,’ as it is stated: “When the Most High bequeathed to the nations” (Deuteronomy 32:8), and it is written: “For His people is the portion of the Lord, Jacob the allotment of His inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:9). But you did not want it, and you corrupted your actions and said to the Calf: “This is your god, Israel” (Exodus 32:8). Therefore, “indeed, as men you will die [and as one of the minsters [sarim] you will fall]” (Psalms 82:7) – just as idolaters utilize guardian angels [sarim],15They are under the auspices of angels.
God does not provide for them directly but rather through angels. Similarly, they are susceptible to the angel of death. so do you, as it is stated: “Behold, I am sending an angel.” Likewise, you find that the Holy One blessed be He showed Jacob the guardian angels of each and every kingdom, as it is stated: “He dreamed, and behold, a ladder set on the earth” (Genesis 28:12). He showed him several nations, several officials, and several governors rising from each and every kingdom.
Just as he showed them to him rising, he showed them to him falling, as it is stated: “And behold, the angels of God ascending and descending upon it” (Genesis 28:12). The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘You, too, ascend.’ Jacob said to Him: ‘I fear that I, too, will descend just as they descended.’ The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Fear not, just as I do not descend from My greatness, so too, neither you nor your descendants will descend from their greatness,’ as it is stated: “Behold, the Lord was standing over him” (Genesis 28:13). ‘When?
It is when they perform My will. But when they said: “This is your god, Israel,” and you forsook Me and followed the ways of the idolaters, just as idolaters utilize guardian angels, so you will [utilize] guardian angels,’ as it is stated: “behold, I am sending an angel” (Exodus 23:20).