Mahari Shteif - 23:20
“הנה אנכי שולח מלאך לפניך לשמרך בדרך, ולהביאך אל המקום אשר הכנותי” – We could explain that the Malach that the Posuk is referring to here is Moshe Rabbeinu, as it says in Bamidbar 20:16 “וישלח מלאך” and the Midrash Rabbah says that it is referring to Moshe Rabbeinu. It also says in Bereishis 28:12 “מלאכי אלקים עולים ויורדים בו”, and the Midrash Rabbah there says that it refers to Moshe and Aharon. Similarly, here we can explain that the Malach refers to Moshe Rabbeinu, and regarding this Malach the Posuk says, “כי שמי בקרבו” that the Name of Hashem is within, as the Zohar Hakodosh tells us that the Shechinah spoke from the throat of Moshe Rabbeinu – the Shechinah was within him. Klal Yisroel were to listen to all the commands of Moshe Rabbeinu, for the Shechinah spoke from within him, and what he said was actually the Ratzon Hashem.
When the Posuk says, “מלאך” here it refers to הטבע, nature. When the Posuk says, “שמי בקרבו” it is referring to the Shem אלקים, which has the same Gematria as הטבע. Hakodosh Boruch Hu controls the world through miracles, as well as through nature. Nature is also a Malach – a messenger of Hashem, fulfilling His Ratzon. Thus, one is always supposed to cry out and Daven to Hakodosh Boruch Hu, and not to the Malach Michoel, or any other intermediaries, for they are all just that – intermediaries. Everything is from Hakodosh Boruch Hu, and He has various messengers doing His Ratzon.
