Question: Is there any single source, in Hebrew or English, that provides an overview of angels (specifically the identity/role of Metatron) in normative Judaism? If not, can you point me in the direction of the proper course of study?

Answer: The best systematic presentation is in Derech Hashem (The Way of G-d) by the Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato (available in Hebrew and English from Feldheim). Among the sections there that discuss angels are 1:5:1-2 & 9; 2:5:4-6; 2:6:3; 3:1:6; 4:4:1 & 7 & 11.

As far as Metatron specifically, now you’re getting into really deep stuff :)—This specific angel (referred to as Safra Rabbah & Sar Ha’olam) is mentioned in the Talmud in several places (Chagigah 15a, Sanhedrin 38b [8 lines from the bottom], Avodah Zarah 3b, Yevamot 16b [Tosfos says the angel referred to there as ‘sar ha’olam’ is Metatron]) and in Midrash slightly more.

There is actually a Hebrew book which examines every angel mentioned in Jewish sources called ‘Malachei Elyon’ by Rav Reuven Margalios ob”m. It’s 411 pages long and available for free download at HebrewBooks.org. Metatron is discussed on pages 73-108. Very extensive and very deep.

I’ll paste below two of the major references translated into English, taken from an interesting essay on Aish.com that touches on this subject:

“And Chanoch (Enoch) walked with God; and he was not; for God took him.”
(Bereishit 5:24)

“’And Chanoch walked in righteousness before God’, and he ceased to exist with the dwellers of Earth. He ascended to heaven in front of God and he was given the name Metatron the Great Scribe.” (Targum (Pseudo) Yonatan Bereishit 5:24)

“Aher mutilated the shoots. Of him Scripture says: Suffer not thy mouth to bring thy flesh into guilt. What does it refer to? – He saw that permission was granted to Metatron to sit and write down the merits of Israel. Said he: It is taught as a tradition that on high there is no sitting and no emulation, and no back, and no weariness. Perhaps, – God forbid! – there are two divinities! [Thereupon] they led Metatron forth, and punished him with sixty fiery lashes, saying to him: Why didst thou not rise before him when thou didst see him? Permission was [then] given to him to strike out the merits of Aher.” (Talmud Bavli Chagiga 15a)

If you’d like more specific information or more sources, please let me know. Some of these passages on Metatron are explained in the classic works of the Maharal and the Shelah (among others), but these sources are certainly challenging to read and understand.

Among the more commonly studied sources, Rashi’s classic commentary on the Torah mentions this in Exodus 23:21, and the classic commentary of the Ramban on the Torah mentions this in Exodus 12:12,  23:20 & 24:1.

Keep studying and asking great questions!

Shlomo Shulman