Мидраш к Ийова 33:23

Our Rabbis taught: "He who becomes sick and is at the point of death, should be told to confess, for all those who were about to die had to confess. When a man goes to the market place, let him deem himself handed over into the custody of the officers [to be brought before court]. If he has a headache, let him deem himself fastened with a chain around his neck. If confined to his bed, let him deem himself brought upon the scaffold [to be punished]; for when one ascends the scaffold [to be punished], if he has prominent interceders, he is pardoned, but if not, then he is not pardoned; and these are man's interceders [before divine Judgment] — repentance and meritorious deeds. Even if nine hundred and ninety-nine plead against him and only one in favor of him he is saved; as it is written (Job 23, 23.) If there be now about him one single angel, as one defender out of a thousand to declare his uprightness for any man, then is He gracious unto him and saith, 'Deliver him from going down into his pit.'" Rabbi Eliezer, the son of R. Jose the Galilean, said: "Even if nine hundred and ninety-nine parts in that one angel are against him, and but one for him, he is still saved, for it is written Mailitz Echad (one defence) out of a thousand."

From what source do we know that the angel calls out before him? It is said: If there be for him an angel, and intercessor, one among a thousand (ibid., v. 23)—if he is one of those thousand, he (the angel) calls out before him to vouch for a man’s uprightness. At that time He is gracious unto him, and saith: “Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom” (Job 33:23–24). Thus if a man fulfills many precepts, ten thousand and a thousand angels guard him, but if he is perfect in understanding the Torah and in the performance of good deeds, the Holy One, blessed be He, Himself guards him, as it is said: The Lord is thy keeper; the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand (Ps. 121:5).

(Exodus 21:30) "When kofer is imposed upon him, he shall give the redemption of his soul": the value of the victim. These are the words of R. Yishmael. R. Akiva says: the value of the killer (i.e., the owner of the ox). And thus do we find that redemption is not given for those who are put to death. In all places, those who are liable to death at the hands of man are not redeemed, as it is written (Leviticus 27:24) "Any cherem that is devoted from a man (going out to be executed) shall not be redeemed, (for) he is going to be put to death" (and has no valuation). But here "he shall give the redemption of his soul." R. Yishmael says: Come and see the mercies of the One who spoke and brought the world into being, for flesh and blood. For a man acquires himself with money from the hands of Heaven, as it is written (Numbers 30:12) "When you take the sum of the children of Israel according to their number, then each man shall give the ransom of his soul to the L rd, etc.", and (II Kings 12:5) "each man, the money for the valuation of his soul," and (Mishlei 13:8) "A man's wealth may redeem his soul," and (Daniel 4:24) "But, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you. Redeem your soul through charity," and (Job 33:23-24) "If there will be for him but a single defending angel from a thousand to declare a man's uprightness for him, then He will be gracious to him and He will say: Redeem him from descending to the grave I have found kofer for Him!" We find that certain consecrated objects can be redeemed and others cannot be redeemed; certain things that may not be eaten may be redeemed; things from which benefit may not be derived may not be redeemed. The nations of the world cannot be redeemed, as it is written (Psalms 49:8) "A man cannot redeem his brother; he cannot give his kofer to G d. Too costly is their soul's redemption and unattainable forever." Beloved is Israel for whose souls the Holy One Blessed be He has given the nations as kofer, as it is written (Isaiah 43:3) "I gave Egypt as kofer for you." Why? (Ibid. 4) "Because you were honored in My eyes, you were honored and I loved you, and I placed a man in your place and nations in place of your souls."