Elisha ben Abuyah said: When I ascended into the pardes, ["Orchard" of mystical experience] I saw Akhtariel YaH [Ms. New York adds: Elohey Yisrael] YHWH Seva'ot seated at the entranceway of the pardes. 1,200,000 ministering angels surrounded him, as Scripture says: "A thousand thousands served Him, and ten thousand times ten thousands stood before Him" (Dan. 7:10), and so forth.
When I saw them, I was astonished and taken aback. I pushed myself in before the blessed Holy One. I said to Him: Master of the Universe! You have written in Your Torah:
"The heavens and heavens of heavens belong to the Lord your God" (Deut. 10:14), and
also "The firmament proclaims His handiwork" (Ps. 19:2). Only One!
He said to me: Elisha my son, have you come to doubt My qualities? Have you not heard the
parable people tell. .
When Moses ascended to heaven . . . he sought mercy, first for Israel and then for himself. The one seated on the merkavah opened the windows above the heads of the cherubim. . . . They received the prayers of Israel and placed them as a crown on the head of the blessed Holy One.
He [Moses] recited "Hear O Israel." . . .
At that time Akhtariel YaH YHWH Seva'ot turned to Metatron, angel of the presence,
and said, Whatever he asks of Me, see that he not be turned away empty-handed.