וַיֹּאמֶר֩ אֵלָ֨יו הָֽאֱלֹהִ֜ים בַּחֲלֹ֗ם גַּ֣ם אָנֹכִ֤י יָדַ֙עְתִּי֙ כִּ֤י בְתָם־לְבָבְךָ֙ עָשִׂ֣יתָ זֹּ֔את וָאֶחְשֹׂ֧ךְ גַּם־אָנֹכִ֛י אֽוֹתְךָ֖ מֵחֲטוֹ־לִ֑י עַל־כֵּ֥ן לֹא־נְתַתִּ֖יךָ לִנְגֹּ֥עַ אֵלֶֽיהָ׃
И сказал ему Бог во сне: 'Да, я знаю, что в простоте сердца твоего ты сделал это, и Я также удержал тебя от греха против Меня. Поэтому я страдал, чтобы ты не трогал ее.
Sha'arei Orah
About this our sages, of blessed memory, stated,103Talmud Bavli, Rosh HaShanah 17a “Those rebellious Jews who sinned with their bodies, and [also] those rebellious peoples of the nations of the world who sinned with their bodies, [descend into purgatory (Gehinom) and are judged there for twelve months].” The word “their bodies-Gufan-גופן”, refers to their angelic minister, as known to those who know the hidden matters.104This is the aspect of the Sefirah of Kingship-Malchut of their level, as will be hinted at momentarily. Thus, for whatever rebelliousness and transgressions were perpetrated by the nations of the world, their ministers are smitten. About this, the angelic minister-Elohi”m-אלהי״ם of Avimelech, King of the Philistines, told him in a dream,105Genesis 20:6 “I too, prevented you from sinning against me.” The word “from sinning-Meichato-מחטו” is spelled here missing the letter Aleph-א.106And thus bears the additional meaning of “needle-Machat-מחט,” as will be explained shortly. That is, his ministering angel told him, “Know, that from the moment you sinned and took Sarah, Avraham’s wife, I have been judged harshly in the Upper Court, to be stabbed with needles-Machatim-מחטים and thorns, and I am suffering greatly.” That is, when the verse states that “Elohi”m-אלהי״ם” spoke to Avimelech, it refers to his ministering angel, being that Avimelech himself was unfit to receive prophecy or to speak with the holy angels, but solely with his ministering angel. Understand this well.