Hebrew visions of hell and paradise - Gaster (1893)

8/2/2019 Hebrew visions of hell and paradise - Gaster (1893)

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1898 1898TUE

JOURNALOP THB

ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETYOF

GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELANDPOll

1 8 9 3 .

PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY,22, ALBEMARLE STREET, LONDON, W.

IlIK'CCXClII.


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571

ART XV.-Hebrew Vi, ion, q f Hell and P a r a d ~ . By M.GASTER, Ph.D.

THE recent recovery of the Revelation of St. Peter hasagain attracted attention to this branch of apocalypticliterature. Speculation has been rife 88 to the lIOurces ofthat Revelation.I intend publishing now, for the first time in Englishgarb, the oldest extant Revelations which must have served88 source to that of Peter, then to that of Paul, Ezra.Abraham, Isaiah, Virgin Mary, St. Macarius, and the hostof others down to Dante and St. Patrick.It is not here the place to enter into a more minute disquisition of the history of these visions. 'Ve find parallelsin the old ..Egyptian literature, in the Auyrian we have the

well-known "Descensus ad inferos" of Izdubar (Nimrud).The Buddhist literature knows the Suhrllekha, the letterof Nagiirjuna to King Udayana. In the Avesta literaturewe have the Nameh of Arda-viraf; in the Mahommedanwe have the vision of Mahommed. All these ChristianRevelations and of the others, at any rate the last two.are based directly upon those Hebrew visions, a fact whichhas hitherto not been noticed.I reserve for a book, which I am writing, the fuller diecuIsion of tht'se point8, and the study of the internal connectionbetween these apocalyptic visions.It would be bold to speculate on the relative age of eachof the visions which I publish here. They all go back tothe pre-Christian age, 88 is shown by the existence of thoeeChristian visions almost verbally identical with the Hebrew.On the other hand one cannot doubt that they underwentsome changes iD the course of the ages. The subetance


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0,2 HEBREW VISIONS OF HELL AND PARADISE.remained intact, but many passages were interpolated oromitted. The different texts complement thus each otherto assist us to arrive at a probable common source. Thetendency of all these popular writings is to grow in thecourse of time, to attract and to assimilate various elements.We can see this process very clearly in the Revelation ofMoses, which has been hitherto almost unknown. It h. .nothing in common with those known under that title. Wehave two recensions of it. A shorter one, and a longerwhich is more amplified and contains interpolations takenfrom the Zohar and the Talmud. Whether the biblicalpassages belonged originally to these visions is still a matterof doubt. They may have been tacked on to the narrative asa kind of scriptural proof, or they may stand as the beginningof a series of details and pictures which have been evolvedout of them, by a rather fantastical exegesis, but by nomeans uncommon in the Oriental literature.To each text I have added a full bibliography, andparallels from most of the extant apocryphal revelations.I have striven to be as literal as possible. The attempt toobliterate the Oriental touch by a polished translation, robethe text of its originality and local colour, which ought tobe preserved.

I. THE REVELATION OF MOSES. (A.)Heaven, IIell, and Paradise.

( G e d u l a t l ~ Mosl,eh, Amsterdam, 1854, v. Jellinek, Bathhammidrash, H. pp. x., xiv. fF., and xix-xx.)1. [As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, 10 illmy beloved Ilmong the sons (Song of Songs, ii. 3).(This applies to Moses, upon whom be peaoe.)]2. In that hour when God said unto him: "Go andbring out the children of Israel from Egypt, for Ihave heard their groaning, and I remembered. the

covenant, and the oath I swore to Abraham. my


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HEBREW VISIONS 01' BELL .AND PARADl8B. 573servant." M08e8 said: "0 Lord oC the Universe,who am I that I should go unto Pharaoh,and that I should bring Corth the children ofIsrael out of Egypt P" (Ex. Hi. 11). God said:"Thou hast humbled thyselC in saying 'Who am Ithat I should go to Pharaoh P' but I will honourthee [as it is said: 'He that is oC lowly spirit shallobtain honour' (Prov. XXiL 23)]. and I will givethe whole of Egypt into thy hands, and I will bringthee up even near to my throne of glory; and I willshew thee the angels oC the Heaven." ThereuponGod commanded Metatron, the angel of his presence(of the face), and 88id unto him: "Go and bringMoees with harps, and pipes, and drums, and dances,with joy, and lOngs. and praieea."3. And Metatron answered and 88id: " 0 Lord of theUniverse, Moses is not able to come up and seethe angels, for there are angels who are of fireand he is only of ftash and blood."4. God said: "Go and change his ftash (body) into fire."And Metatron went to M0868.

5. When ~ 1 0 8 e 8 beheld Metatron he trembled with fear,and said to him: "Who ar t thou P"6. And he answered: " I am Enoch the IOn oC Jared.thy father's Cather. The Almighty hath sent me tobring thee up to his throne oC glory."17. ~ r 0 8 ( ' S said: " I am only ftash and blood, and cannotlook upon the angels." And Metatron changed

~ [ o ! i e s ' tongue into a tongue of fire, and his eyeshe made like the wheels of the heavenly cbariot,amI his power like unto that of the angels, and histongue like a ftame, and brought him up to ht-aven.U,OOO angels were on the right hand, and 15,000on the left, Metatron and Moses in the middle. Inthis way WIL8 MOBeS carried up to heaven.s

I . \ l I ( ' f ' n ~ i t ) Isaiae, eel. DillmlnD, I ~ i p l i g , 1877. ill:. 9; Apoc. Virgo Vary., T""tamen& oC Abraham, ch. \land 111, Rec:. ell. 11. R. lam., Cambridp,lR9l.


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574 HEBREW VISIONS OF BELL L ~ D PARADISE.8. The first heaven to which Moses ascended corresponds

to the first day of the week; there he saw thewaters standing in lines. This heaven was full ofwindows, and at each window stood an angel. A.nd)[oses asked Metatron: .. What are these windows P "and Metatron answered: .. These windows are-thewindow of prayer, the window of request, the windowof supplication, the window of crying (tears), thewindow of joy, the window of satiation, the windowof famine, the window of poverty, the window ofriches, the window of war, the window of peace,the window of pregnancy, the window of birth, thewindow of the treasures of rain, the window of dew,the window of sin, the window of repentance, thewindow of smallness, the window of greatness, thewiudow of death, the window of life, the window ofdisease among men, the window of disease amonganimals, the window of healing, the window ofsickness, the window of health." And Moses sawgreat things past finding out, .. yea marvelloU8 thingswithout number" (Job ix. 10).1

9. Moses ascended then the second heaven, which corre-sponds to the second day of the week. There he sawan angel whose name is X.2 His length is 300parasangs and 50 myriads of angels stand beforehim; they are of fire and water, and their faces aredirected towards the Sllekina above; and all singhymns, saying: .. Great is the Lord and highly tobe praised" (cxlv. 3).10. And Moses asked Metatron and said: cc Who arethose P " He answered: Cl These are the angel. whoare placed over the clouds, the wind, and the rain;they go and fulfil the will of their Oreator andreturn to their places and praise the Almighty."

1 Enoch, ch. 60, v. 12 ft. translated by Charles, p. 166 ft., B. of laml..,ch. 1, v. Uoensch, d. Duch d. Jubilaeen, p. 209; cf. 86j.r Rwl ,jOl, f. 34b ft.2 In this recension the names of the angels are omitted. They are to befound, however, in the shorter.


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HEBREW nSIONS OF HELL . . L ~ D PARADISE. 5 7 ~ And Moses asked: cc Why have they their facesturned towards the Shekina?" And lIetatron answered: cc From that day when God created themuntil to-day they have not been moved from theirposition." 111. Moses went up to the third heaven, which corresponds to the third day of the week. There he sawan angel whose name is X. His length is ajourney of 500 years. He has 70,000 heads, ineach head 70,000 mouths, in each mouth 70,000tongues, and in each tongue 70,000 dictions; beforehim stand 70,000 myriads of angels, all of whitefire; they all praise and sing to God [and say:.. Thine, 0 Lord, is the greatness and power," etc.(1 Chr. xxix. 11)].12. Moses asked Metatron: cc'Vho are these? and whatis their name?" And he answered: .. Their nameis Erelim j they are placed over the grass (herbs),and over the trees, and over the fruits, and overthe corn; and they all go and fulfil the will oftheir Creator and return to their places."

13. Moses went up to the fourth heaven. There he sawthe temple built; the columns of red fire, the sidesof green fire, the thresholds of white fire, the hooksand the planks of blazing fire; the portals ofcarbuncle and the halls of sparkling gems. Andhe saw angels going therein praising (and saying)[as King David, upon whom may peace rest, said:.. Bless the Lord, ye angels of His, ye mighty instrength, that fulfil his word" (Ps. ciii. 20)].'H. Moses asked Metatron and said: cc Who are these

angels?" And Metatron answered: .. Theee are theangels, who are placed over the earth, I ov the8un, and over the moon, and over thethe planets, and over the spheree, and Ihymns unto Him." And he saw two1 Eaocb, I.e.; Jabile., , .. T_ _ _ _ lAri, cL 6,


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576 HEBREW VISIONS OF HELL A..'iD PARADISE.of them 88 big 88 the whole earth; the name orone W88 Nogah, and the name of the other Jlaatiim,one standing above the sun, and the other abovethe moon. Moses asked Metatron: .. Why do theeestand above those others P" And he said: "Theone stands above the sun in summer in order tocool the world from the beat of the sun, and that isthe star Nogah; whilst the other stands near themoon in order to warm the world from the coldof the moon (and this is tbe star Maadim)." 1

15. Moses went to the fiftb heaven and he saw there troopsof angels half of fire and balf of snow, and the snow isabove the fire without extinguishing it, for God makespeace between them [as it is said: .. He maketh peacein his high places," Job xxv. 2] , and all praise theAlmighty.16. And Moses asked Metatron: "'Vhat are these doing P"He said: "Since the day when God created themare they 80." Moses 88ked: "What is their name P"and he answered: "These are the Erelim who arecalled IlJhim [88 it is sa id: Unto you, 0 Ishim(men), I call,' Prov. viii. 4, i.e.: I call youIshim !]."17. Moses went up to the sixth heaven, there he saw auangel whose length W88 500 years' journey; his namewas X., and he was wholly of hail (ice), and by himstood thousands and myriads of angels, without number,and all sung praises to the One who said and theworld W88 created [as it is said: the heaven proclaimthe glory of God (Ps. xix. 2)].218. Moses asked Metatron: .. Who are these P" and heanswered: .. These are the Irin Kadj8hin, (the holywatchers," Daniel iv. 10-14).

19. Moses went up to the seventh heaven, and he saw anangel wholly of fire; and two angels, whose nameswere X. These were fastened with two chaina of red1 cr. Pirke de R. E l i ~ z e r , ch. 6.I Ch. 8-17, cf. Othioth de R. Akiba (lellinek, Bet-hamm. Ill. 20-21).


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BBBBBW VISIONS OF BBLL .urn p.uwnD. 611and dark fire; and each of them had the leogth of600 paruBnga.20. MOIle8 asked Metatron: "Who are tbeee P" And heanswered: "Tbeee are wrath and anger, and Godcreated them during the six days of creation, thatthey should fulfil hia will"l

21. Moses replied: " I am afraid of tbe . angels, and Icannot look on them." Thereupon Metatron embraoedMosea, plaoed him in hia boeom and eaid: .. 0 Moeee,beloved of God, be not frightened nor dread thouaught." And lrfoeee wu immediately calmed.22. After thia Moeee saw another angel, whOle countenancewas totally different from thoee of the otber angels,for he W88 ugly and his height of 640 yean' journey,and he wu girded forty timee around hia waiat.From the 801e of the foot unto tbe head he "88 fullof fiery eyes, and "h080eYer looked at him, fell downin dread.23. And :HOlIeS aaked Metatron: "Who ia thia P" Heanswered: "This ia the angel of death, "ho tabethe BOU\S of men." I And he aaked him: "Where is

he now going P " And Metatron anawered: Cl Hegoes to take the IOUI oC Job the pioua."24. And Moses said Wore God: "May it be thy "m. 0Lord, my God and God of my f'athen, that thoushouldat not deliver me into the hands of thisangel!"26. Then saw he angels standing before God; each ofthem haring six winga. With twain winga theycovered their face., 80 that they might not lookupon the Sh,lritta. With the other twain winga tbeycover their leet, for they have the feet of calf,aud with the other twain wiDga they fty and praiseGod. The length oC each wing is 600 yeah'journey, and the width from one end of the world

, er. Rn. of Pa1ll, eh. 11 (7'iIMMIor/, Apoe. ApoerJP_, Leipalr. 1 . . .pp. 3 ' ~ 9 ) . I Cf. T. ' . III AbnIauD, ell. 17.


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5i8 HEBREW YlSlOXS OF HELL AND PARADISE.to the other. And Moses asked: "'Vho are these pItand Metatron answered: "These are t.he holyCreatures." 1

26. [Our sages tell 2 that at the time when Nebuchadnezzarthe impious said: " I will ascend above the heightsof the clouds j I will be like the Most High U(Isaiah xv. 14), the Holy Spirit came forth andsaid: .. 0 impious man! How many are the daysof the years of t.hy life P Threescore and ten, oreven by reason of strength. fourscore years (Ps. xc.10). and tho distance from earth to heaven aloneis 500 years, the thickness of the heaven again500 years, and from the heaven Rakia to theheaven Shehakim 500 years, and its thickne88 600years, and from Shehakim to Ztlbul again 600 yean,and its thickness 500 years. and from Zebul toMoon 500 years, and its thickness 500 years, andfrom Meon to Araboth 500 years, and its thickness500 years, and the feet of the holy Creatures areequal to the whole j and their ankles are equal tothe whole j and the wings of the creatures are likethe whole, and their necks are like the whole, andtheir heads like the whole, and their horns like untothe whole, and upon them is the' throne of glorywhich is equal to the whole. [It is like theterrible ice, Ezek. i. 22.] And there sits theKing of Kings, the Holy, blessed be He exaltedand high, and t.hou sayest: " I will ascend abovethe heights of the clouds, I will be like the MoatHigh! Woe unto thee. 0 impious man and woeunto thy soul, for thou shalt be brought down tothe uttermost parts of the pit (cf. Isaiah xiv. 16)to the seven regions of hell to be punished forever and ever."]

1 Cf. P. d. R. Eliezer, ch. 4.I Talmud B. , Tractate Pesachim, f. 94 a b ; ralkut, 11. f. 44, t t i l l I cf.Tract. Hagiga, f. 12b


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HEBREW YISIONS OF HELL AND PARADISE. 57927. And after that M08e8 saw an angel in the heaven called

Araboth, i.e. the seventh heaven, and thi8 angel wasteaching the 8Ou18 which were created by God at thetime of the Oreation and have been placed in paradise.The name of the angel was X. He teach. them inseventy languages in the college on high, and theyanswer: "Thus i. the law of M088II given bytradition from Mount Sinai [as it i8 said Dina wasset and the booka were opened (Daniel vii. 10), andDins is none other than this angel, who i8 theguardian angel of the Law and of wisdom." Hehas al80 another name, they call him Jefe6yah, forthe name of the guardian angel of the Law i8 106el].1

28. [(From the Zohar) R. Simeon, 80n of Johai, said: .. Atthat time when Moses went up to heaven an angel88t before him and taught him 370 mysterie8 of theLaw, Mose8 then said to God, I I will not depart fromhere unless Thou wilt give me good gifts.''' Godan8wered: "Mose8, my servant, faithful in my house,I will give thee my Law wherein are good gift8,08 it is written: I For 1 gave thee a good gift'(Prov. i,'. 2). Therein are al80 the commandments,positi,-e and negative, and not only thi8 (I grantthee) but al80 that the Law shall be recorded in thyIlame, Il 8 it is written: I Remember ye the Law oCMoses, my 8ervant' (Malacbi iii. 22)." "nence dowc knuw that Moses did actually ascend sevenheavens 'Ve learn it from the vene, .. And Moeesascended to God." (It is further written, "God wentup amid8t the 80unds of trumpets") (Pe. xlvii. 6).~ 1 0 t ! e 8 it! therefore called Elohim like unto his MlI8ter,for it i8 said: "Sce 1 have made thee as Elohimunto Pharaoh," therefore it i8 written: II Like anapple-tree in the wood i8 my beloved among the80118." Thi8 is }[08C8, master of the Prophets andsen-aut of God; he is like an apple in odour and taste.]

J .'bout HmI luar".. T. AlceDSio laaiae &Dd TIIIt. LeTi, cb. a.1.1l A S. 1893. 38


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580 HEBREW VISIOXS OF HELL AXD PARADISE.29. At that time a Bath-Kol came forth from underneath

the throne of glory and said: "MOles, my eervant 1Art thou afraid of them p" [It is written: co A wiseman scaleth the oity of the mighty and bringeth downthe strength of the oonfidence thereof" (Prov. xxi. 22).Strength means the Law as it is said: co God willgive strength to his people" (Ps. nix. 11).]30. God said then to Moses: "Moses, my servant! Thoucamest up here and hast been worthy of the privilegeof seeing all with thy (earthly) power; and I havemade thee ascend seven heavens, and have shown

thee my treasures and I have given thee my law.Now thou shalt be worthy of seeing the two parkaI have oreated in this world, one for the righteousand one for the sinners, viz. Paradise and Hell."31. At that hour God sent Gabriel and said unto him: co Gowith my belo,ed servant Moses and show him Hell! "32. And Moses said to him: " I cannot enter Hell, thatblazing fire." He said to him: ":Moses, there is afire which burns more than all the seven Hells, andyet when thou wilt tread it with thy feet, it shallnot burn thee."33. At an hour when Moses entered Hell, the fire ofHell withdrew for 500 paraaangs. The master of Hellsaid to him: .. Who art thou P" He answered:.. I am the son of Amram." The Lord of Hellanswered: "Not here is thy place." And M088Isaid: .. I came to see the powerful works of God,blessed be He." And God said to the Lord ofHell: "Go and show him how men are in Hell.u

1 I draw attention here to two more apocalyptic visions which do not I8IIID tohaTe been noticed hitherto. ll ) The apocalypse of the Virgin JI.,., (Y.TI,d/,ndor/, Apoc. Apocryphae, p. xxvii.; (Ja,'", LiteraturR populua romiDl.Bucharest, 1111\:1, p. 362-:166; B. P. HalMu, eUTente d. Bit.riDI, 11 .Bucharest, 18i9, p. 301-367) extant in Slavonic texts of the twelfth c e n ~ . Grll8k, RoumaniRn, etc. ; .iF.thinpic and Syriac P In this text the torturel of Henore nry fully dl'8crihed. (2) (JUfltiolj, 0 / St. J/IJCIJriUII, of which I 8,j{"umanian MSS.; A ''?!lriac ~ ' r a g m e l l t of the twelfth century I lOUDd iD.tlw British Musenm, Add. 17,262 (WrigM, n. p. 867-8, No. 837), and G, et"k text of the fiftceuth century I discoveroo in Cod. Baroccianus (Bodleiaa).o. 14 7. f. 294 b .qq.


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BBBUW' VISIONS OP BBLL AlQ) PAJW)18B. 68134. Immediately be went with )(-, lib a P'lpU befon

bis master, and entend Hell together with him.35. :Hoeee eaw there men tortured by the aagela of destruction. Some of tbe anners were hanged by their eyelids, .ome by their eare, .ome by their haods, andothers by their tongnee, and they cried bitterly.And he eaw women haaging by their bair aod bytheir breutl and in .ach l ib waJl, all were hanging by chain. of file.l36. And }[oeee ubcl the Lord of Hell. and aid Cl Whyare theee hanged by their .yea and by their tongueaand are eo tearfully tortured and eo aonly paniaheel P"And the mater of Bell anawered: .. Beca1ll8 theylooked witb an 8'ril eye at fair women, and M marriedwomen, aad a& the money or their triends aael neighbours, and p"e la1ee witne. ap iu t their neigbboura." I

37. Also eaw he in Bell men hanging by their leXaalorgans and their haoda " .n tied, and be aaked:.. Why do the . baug P" The Lord umrencl:.. Becauae they oommi&ted adllltery and .tole, andkilled, and murdered.'"38. He saw other men hanging by their ears aod theirtonguea, ancl he _eel: "Why an th _ haDgingby their ears and tonguea P" And he IDIwereel:.. Becaul8 they neglected the dady of the law, andtalked slander and TRin worda aud empty worda.The women are hagiug by their hair and breaate,booaoae they . . . . to DDoonr their bnut.a and theirhair before the YOIIDI men and deeireel them, andcame th .. to Iin.'"

ao. Hell cried then with a bitter and load voice, aDd eaidto the Maltar of' Hell: "Gin me the linnere, thatI Cf. Y. 7. 16-le. Peter, eh. e (H. 2t); . . . . . . . ad J_ , The 00IIDIlarronlinlt to I'et. N., LoDdoa, 18e2, p. 17 Iff.; of. A. a.r_k (8.)Ilrucb.tiicke ,I. K"d. L _ A.-.J1JIII cL PdraI. 1Ai,.., 1811, p. UIIff. Cf. \". 16. 11.1>eter, ch. 1 (B. ~ 2 l ; Paal, cia. 17, 311.I Cf. I'e&er. elL e, 10 (B . 24-26); Paal, U; ViIJ. 1I1If.t \" . 16. \". 17; Peter, ch. e (B. ft); cf. Paal, ch. 40.


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582 IIEBREW YISIOXS OF HELL AND PARADISE.I may destroy them." For Hell is always hungryand never satisfied, and crieth always for the liunersto devour them, but hath no power over therighteous. '40. Moses went further Bnd saw two sinners hanged bytheir feet with their heads downwards, and theycried by reason of the torture of Hell, and theirbodies were covered with black worms, each worm500 parasangs long. And these sinners cry andlament, saying: "Woe unto us, for the terriblepunishment of Hell i would we could die." But theycllnnot die [as it is said: "They long for deathbut it cometh not" (Job iii. 21)J.I41. Moses asked the master of Hell: "What acta havethese committed?" And he answered: "These aretholle who swore falsely, and profaned the Sabbath,ulId despised the learned, and persecuted the orphan. jand gave bad names to their neighbours, and barefalse witness. Therefore hath God delivered themto these worms to take vengeance. on these sinners."And ~ I o s e s asked: "What is the name of thi.placo ?" And he answered: "Aluka [as it is aaid jAluka hath two daughters" (Prov. xxx. 10)J.-

42. )losos went then to another place. There the sinnerswero lying on their faces i and he saw two thouaandscorpions swarming over them and stinging themanel torturing them, and the sinners cried bitterly.Each scorpion has iO,OOO mouths, and each mouthiO,OOO stings, and each sting has 70,000 vesiclesfilled with poison and venom, and with these arethe sinners imbued and thus are they tortured j andtheir eyes are sunk in their sockets for fear anddroad, and their cry: "'Voe unto us, for our aina,and for the day of judgment." t

I Cf. E,. Nicodcmi. Greek form, cb. 20 ft.: " 0 all deTouring and illlatiabI.Hucks.", Poter, ch. 9, 13 (IT. 24, 28).3 Cf. V. 16; Paul, ch. 39., V. 24; VH."; Peter, ch. 13 (H. 28).


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HEBREW VISIONS OF UELL AND PARADISE. 58343. And Moses asked: Cl What have these committed P"

And he answered: Cl These have wasted the moneyof others; they have taken bribery, and elevatedthemselves above others; they have put theirneighbours publicly to shame; they have deliveredup their brother Israelite to the gentile; 1 theydenied the oral Law and maintained that God didnot create the world. Therefore God has handedthem over to the scorpions to be avenged onthem." I44. lIo saw there another place where the sinners stood

up to their knees; the name of that place is Tit)wyaren (C l miry clay," Ps. xL 3). Angels of de-struction tie them up with chains of iron andlash them with fiery whips, and they take fieryatones and break with them the teeth of thesinners, from morning until evening, and duringthe night they prolong their teeth again to thelength of a parasang in order to break them anewnext morning; [as it is said: Cl Thou hut broken theteeth of the wicked" (Ps. iii. 8)]. And the sinnerscry: Cl 'Voe unto 08, woe unto O8!" but nobodytakes pity on them.'45. 1l08e8 asked the master of Hell: Cl What have thesecommitted P . He answered: .. They ate all kinds offorbidden fruit and gave them to Israelites to eat;they were O8urers, and apostates and blasphemers;they wrote the ineft'able Dame of God for Gentiles; 4they had false weights; they stole money, and ateon the fast day of Kippur [for whosoever eats blood,or reptiles, or worms, and does Dot keep away fromthem is punished by being cut off], these are for everpunished in Hell, and therefore God hath deliveredthem to the angels of destruction to chastise them.$

I Peter, eh. 12 (H. 27).I Paul. ch. 42; d. Virgo Vary.I Cf. Talmud. Tr. Benchoth, f. 64 b Probably OI l &mllleta. Ct. l'aul, K; ) ( ~ 1 1 1 , to.


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084 HEBREW VISIOXS OF HELL AND PARADISE.46. [He saw there further how they punish the wicked

with fire and snow; and torture them terribly.]The Lord of Hell said then to Moses: Cl Come andsee how the wicked are punished in Hell with fire."Moses answered: " I dread to go." But the Lord ofHell answered: "Go and dread naught," [as it is.said : "Yea, though I walk through the valley of theshadow of death I will fear no evil" (Ps. xxiii. 4)].

47. And Moses stood up to go, and he saw the SMkinl.lmoving before him, so that he should not be indread of the aJlgels of destruction. Each of theee isfull of eyes, and hath fiery chains in his hands, andhis length is 500 years' journey.

48. Moses went and saw how the wicked were puniahedby fire, being half in ire and half in soow', withworms crawling up and down their bodies and afiery collar round their necks, and having no reat,lexcept on Sabbath days and Festival days.1 All(the other) days they are tortured in Hell. Ofthese speaks the verse: "And they ,hall go forthand look upon the carcases of the men that havetransgressed against me, for their worm shall notdie, neither shall their fire be quenched" (Isaiahcxvi. 28).

49. And Moses asked the angel of Hell: "What havethese committed P" And the angel answered: .. Thisis the punishment for those who have committed.adultery, sodomy, idolatry, and murder, and who havecursed their parents. Therefore hath God deliveredthem to the angels of destruction to be avenged ODthem." S And Moses asked: Cl What is the name ofthis place?" And he answered: "The name of itis Abadon."

.')0. Thereupon Moses went up (to heaven) and aaid:"May it be Thy will, 0 Lord, my God, and GodI Y. E""!!,,, comment. to Pentateuch, Venice, 1644, f. 181 2 PUll), ch. 44 ; cf. Pesikta rabbati, eel. Friedman, ch. 23, f. uta.

3 l'eter, ch.9 (H. 24); cf. MacariW!, 22, 27, 39, V .Muf.

re ..


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HEBREW VISIONS OF HELL AND PAlUDISB. DSISof my fathers, that Thou mayest save me and Thypeople Israel from th088 placea which I have seenin IIell."

IU. God said to Moeea: .. Moses, my servant P I havecreated two parka: Paradise and Hell. Whoeoevercommitteth evil deeds goeth down to Hell, andwhosoever doth good deeds cometh into Paradise"[as it is said: .. I the Lord search the heart, Itry the reins, even to give every man accordingto his ways, according to the fruit of his doings"(Jer. xvii. 10)].

52. Then Moses lifted up his eyes and beheld the angelGabriel; and he fell down and bowed himselCbefore him. And the angel said: .. Hut thou seenHell P" He answered: .. Yea." And the angel said:"Come then, I will show thee Paradise, by the willof God." So Moeea went with him to Paradise.53. When they came there, the angels said: .. Thy timeis not yet arrived to leave the world." Moeeaanswered: .. I came to see the mighty deeds ofGod, and the reward of the piolll in Paradiae, what

is their condition there."M. The angels began then to praiae Moeee and they said :.. Hail, 0 MOII88, servant of the Lord; Hail, 0 Moaea,born of woman, who hut been found worthy toascend seven heavens, hail the nation to whom suchbelongs." [l"1:Q;' &uch in arithmetical calculation iseq ual to l"1;'%).J55. When MOI88 went into Paradise he saw an angelsitting under the tree of life. Mosee aeked theangel Gabriel: .. Who is this angel P" He answered:.. This is the Lord (guardian) of Paradise and hisnawe is x."

[.,G. This angel then asked M0888: .. Who art thou P"lI e answered: .. I am the .on of Amram." He saidto him: "Why dids' thou come hither P" AndMoses answered: "To see the reward oC the piouein Paradise have I come hither."


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586 HEBREW VISIONS OF HELL A ~ D PARADISE.67. The angel took Moses by the band, and they went

both together. Moses looked up and 88W 8eventythrones fixed, one next to another; all made ofprecious stones, of emerald, sapphire and diamondand precious pearls, and the foot of each was ofgold and fine gold. Around each t.hrone stoodseventy angels. Amongst the thrones was onegreater than the others, and twenty of the minister-ing angels kept ward thereover.68. Moses enquired of the angel and said: U WhOle isthat throne P" He answered: " I t is the throne oCAbraham the Patriarch."69. Thereupon Moses went immediately up to Abraham.Abraham asked him: " 'Vho art thou P" Heanswered: cc I am the son of Amram." And Abrahamasked: " Is perchance already thy time come toleave the world?" Moses answered: cc My time isnot yet come, but with tho permission of God Icame to see the reward of the piou"!."l Abrahamthen said: .. Praise ye the Lord, for He i8 good;for His mercy endureth for ever" (Ps. cvi. 1).

60. Then WElnt Moses to the throne of Isaac, and he apakewith him in a similar manner, and Moses answeredin like wise.61. Then asked Moses, the guardian angel of Paradise:.. What is the length and width of Paradise P" Theangel answered: "There is none who could measure

it; no angel or Seraph can ever know the lengthand width of Paradise, for it i8 unlimited and bound-less and immeasurable. The angels guard only thethrones and these are unlike to one another, for someof them are of silver, others of gold, others of bdellium,others of ruby, topaz, and carbuncle, others of emerald,sapphire and diamond, others of precious 8tones andpearls, others of rubies and carbuncles."

62. Moses asked the angel: cc For whom i8 the throne 0'pearls P" He answered: cc I t is for the 8OholanJI Cf. Ascensio Isaia.e, Tiii. 27, 28.


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HEBREW VISIOXS OF IIELL AND PARADISE. 587who study the Law day and night for the sake oCheaven." "And those of precious stones P" "Forthe pious men." "And those oC rubies P" "Forthe just." .. And those of gold P" "For the menwho repent j" . . but the greatest throne is for thyforefather Abraham, the other thrones are for Isaacand Jacob, and for the prophets and righteous, andthe holy and wise pious men, each after his worthand position and the good works he hath performedin the world."

63. 1I0ses then said to the angel: "For whom is thatthrone of copper P" He answered: "For the wickedman, whose son is pious j because through the meritsof his son he obtains a portion of heavenly bliss;as thou 800st in the case of Terah, who had wor-shipped all the idols in the world, but who throughthe merits of his son Abraham obtained that throneof copper [as it is said: "Thou shalt go to thyfathers in peace" (Gen. xv. 15), thus announcingto him (Abraham) that God would give (his fatheralso) a place in Paradise]."

6i. Afterwards Moses looked and beheld a spring of livingwater wetting forth from underneath the tree of lifeand dividing itself into four streams, [and it comeefrom under the throne of glory] and they encompassthe Paradise from one end to the other. And undereach throne there flow four rivers, one of honey, thesecond of milk, the third of wine, and the fourth ofpure balsam. l These all pass beneath the feet of thejust, who are Beated upon thrones.

6.j. [I t is said in the Zohar. King Meesias said to R.Simeon, son of Johai: " Worthy art thou of thyportion in heaven, for thy teaching is divided (spread)through 6iO heavens, each heaven is divided into 670lights, each light is divided in 670 arguments, eachargument is divided in (among) 670 worlds, eachworld is divided in 670 streams of pure balaam.]

I Paal, ch. 23.


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588 HEBREW VISIONS OF HELL AND PABADISE.66. And all these streams flow round Paradise and beneath

all the thrones. All these were created by God forthe just, and whOBO becometh equal to them in merit,eees and enjoys, as they enjoy, the splendour of theShekina.67. When Moses saw all these godly and pleasant thingshe felt great joy, and exclaimed: "Oh I how greatis Thy goodnesa which Thou hast laid up for themthat fear Thee, which Thou hast wrought for themthat put their trust in Thee, before the SODS of men"(Ps. xxxi. 19).

68. And Moses retired from there and went away. Atthat same moment a voice from Heaven (Bath-Kol)was heard saying: "Moses, servant of the Lord, faithful in His house; even as thou hast seen the rewardwhich is preserved for the just in the future world,80 also in the days to come shalt thou see therebuilding of the Temple and the advent of theMessiah, anti behold the beauty of the Lord, andmeditate in His Temple" (Ps. xxvii. 4). (May itnow be Thy will, 0 Lord, my God and the Godof my fathers, that I and the whole nation of I8raelmay be deemed worthy of 8haring in good and thegreat con801ation, and the daY8 of the Me8siah, andthe rebuilding of the Templo, and the everlastinglife. Amen.)

11. THE REVELATION OF MOSES. (B.)Heaven.

[Zigrmi, fo1. 93 c-d, cf. Yalkut Rellbeni, fol. 100d-IOln jJellinek, Beth-hammidrash, I. 58-64; Pesikta RaMati,ed. Friedmann, sec. 20, fo1. 96a-98b j MS. Oxford,No. 1466, 14 (Cat. Neubauer)].

1. Moses, our teacher, upon whom may re8t peace, saidto Israel: "Hear, 0 Israel, you the whole nation I I wentup on high, and I saw all the Heavenly rulers. I saw


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REBREW VISIONS ON HELL AND PARADISE. 689the angel KemUl!I, the Janitor, who is placed over 12,000angels of destruction, and who stands at the gates oC heaven.2. I saw further the angel Hadar"i81, who is higher by 60myriads of parasangs than Kemuel, and with every dictionthat comes out of his mouth go forth 12,000 fiashes oflightning.

3. I saw further &"daljon, the prince, greater thanIIadarniel by 500 years' journey. Of him _id Ezekiel:"One wheel upon the earth beUdes the living Creatures,for each of the four faces thereof" (Ezek. i. 15).4. [This is the SandalCon who weavea crowns for his master.'Vhen this crown appean before the hravenly hosta, theyall shake and tremble and the holy Creatures are struckdumb, and the holy Seraphim roar like lions, and theysay: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts, the wholeearth is full of his glory" (Is. vi. 2). And when thecrown approachea the throne the wheels of the throne ofglory move, aDd the thresholds of brilliancy quake, andall the heaveD8 are seized with terror. And whenthe crown pa8888 on to the throne of glory to ita rightplace all the heavenly hosts open their mouths, turnto the Seraphim. &Dd say: "Bleaeed be the glory of theLord from his place." They say: cc From hia place"(E7.ck. iii. 12), because they do not bow His actual place." ~ h o n the crOWD comes near to God's head He accepta itgraciously from His servants. And the heavenly Creaturesand the Seraphim, and the wheels of the throne of glory,and the heavenly hosta, and the Hashmalim and Cherubimp r a i ~ e the Creator, acknowledge him as their king, andexclaim unanimously: .. The Lord reigneth, the Lordreigned, the Lord will reign for evermore."] 1

5. I saw further the fiery river Bi'!ltl1I, which comesout before God, from under the throne of glory, and isformed from the perspiration of the holy Creatures who8upport the throne of glory j and out of dread of God'smajesty perspire Iire.' This river is meant by the saying1 Tahaad B., R ~ h , f. 13b ; Lortgflllow, Sandalfoa.I Cf. Pirke de R .EIiaer, ch.


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590 HEBREW V I S I O ~ S OF HELL A ~ D PARADISE."a fiery stream issued and came forth before him;thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thouaa.ndtimes ten thousand stood before him; the judgment wasset and the books were opened" (Dan. vii. 10). For t ~ e Almighty sits and judges the ministering angels, and afterthe judgment they bathe in that river of fire and arerenewed. Afterwards the river flows on and carries withit fiery coals, and falls on the heads of the sinnen inHell, 8S it is said: "Behold the tempest of the Lord, evenHis fury is gone forth, yea, a whirling tempest; it shallburst on the head of the wicked" (Jer. xxiii. 19).1

6. I saw further the angel Ga/itzur, surnamed also Rtaie/,who stands behind the curtain and listens to all that isdecreed in heaven and proclaims it. This proclamation isthen handed over to the prophet Elijah and he proclaimsit to the world from the Mount Horeb.

7. The wings of Galit:nr are spread and keep ofF thebreath of the holy Creatures, for otherwise all the minister-ing angels would be burned by the breath of the holyCreatures.

8. I saw further Mickael, the great prince, standing atthe right side of the throne, and Gahriel at the left; aDdI ~ t ~ f i ! l a l l , the guardian of the law, standing before it ; andMdatron, the angel of the presence, standing at the doorof the palace of God. And he sits and judges all theheavenly hosts before his master. And God pronouncesjudgment and he executes it.

9. I saw then a troop of the terrible angels who surroundthe throne of glory, they were more powerful and mightierthan all the other angels. All these whom I saw wishedto scorch me with the breath of their mouths, but out ordread of the presence of the Almighty, the king of kings.they had no power to injure me, for they all were full orfear and agony and dread before Him.

1 v. 23; cf. Peter, 8 (H . 23); Paul, 32; V. Kary.


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HEBREW VISIOXS OF DELL AND PARADISE. 591

Ill . TilE RBYELATION OF R . JOSHUA BEN LBVl. (A.)Paradise, Hell.

(Or/lOt Hayim 11. Cod. 52, Montefiore College, f. 281 b-282b ;Cod. 28, Jews' College, London, f. HOb_H7-; Jt!lIillt'k,Beth-hammidraah, 11. 48-51; with ~ g a d a t h Bere,""t,'" arsaw, 1867, fol. IHa-b; Ko/bo, 120; ZURIIl, Gottesdienstl. Vortraege, p. 141, No. e.)

l . R. Joshua,80n of Levi, was a pious man. When thetime approached that he should leave this world, the Lordsuid to the angel of death, "Go and fulfil whatever hiswish mlly be." He went to him and said unto him: "Thetime is nigh when thou shalt leave this world, but nowtell me what thou wishest, that 1 may fulfil it." 12. As soon as R. Joshua heard this, he said: "I pray thee,"how me my place in Paradise." He answered and said:.. Come and I will show thee it." R. J08hua answered/lnd said, "Give me thy sword, 80 that thou shouldst notfrighten me." And he ga\'e him his sword. So theywent together till they reached the wall of Paradise. Therebt'ing outside the wall, the angel of death lifted R. J08huafrom the ground and placed him upon the crest of thewall, and said unto him: "Behold thy place in Paradise."

3. At that moment R. Joshua jumped down from the walland fell into Paradise. The angel of death caught him byIlia mantle and said to him, "Get thee out thence." ButH. Joshua swore by the nume of God that he would notdo 80 . The angel of death hud no power to enter therein.The minitltering angels seeing this, said to the Almighty:.. L()rcl of the Universe, behold what R. Josbua hath done!By furce hatb he taken po88C88ion of his portion in Paradise."God answered: "Go aud see if he has eyer broken hisoath, tbeu !!hall this oath of his be likewise void and null."Till')" St.arched and could not find any such case. 80 theyeumc and said: "lIe hath never broken his oaths in his

I Cf. TtlIt. Abraham, ch. 11.


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502 HEBREW VISIOXS OF HELL A.XD PAlUDlSE.lifetime." And God. answered: " I f it be 80, let himremain there."4. When the angel of death saw this, he daid to R. Joshua :.. Give me now my sword back." But R. Joshua didnot fulfil his request till a voice came forth and said: .. Givehim the knife, for it is of necessity for His creaturea."

o. R. Joshua then said to him: "Swear unto me thatthou wilt not show it any more to the creatures at themoment when thou takest their 8Ouls." [For up to thattime the angel of death used to kill men openly, 81 oneslaughters animals, and he showed it even to the BUcklingin the bosom of their mother.] At that hour be aworeunto him, and R. Joshua returned the knife to him.6. After that began the prophet Elijah to proclaim andto cry out aloud to the just: .. Clear the way for the IOnof Levi."7. [He went and saw R. Joshua sitting in the compart-ment of the just, and he aaked him: "Art thou the IOnof Levi P" And he answered: " Yes." He asked again:"Hast thou seen a rainbow in thy lifetime pIt AgainR. Joshua answered: "Yes." And he replied: "Then ifthis is so, thou ar t not the 80n of Levi."-In fact it hadnot been the case. Now R. Joshua had not seen a rain-bow, but he did not wish to boast of it and to ascribe itto his own merits. He had asked him about the rainbow,for it is the sign of the covenant between God. and theworld; and when the rainbow appears then God (remembers)and pitieth his creatures; but when there liveth a jaatman, there is no longer any necessity for a rainbow, 88through his merits the world is saved. As it is said:"And the just is the foundation of the world" (Prov. x. 25).Therefore did he ask him about the rainbow.]8. The angel of death went to R. Gamaliel and told him:"So and so hath R. Joshua done unto me." R. G.answered and said: "lie served thee right. Dut nowplease go and tell him I request him to search throughheaven and hell their mysteries and to write them downand !lend it to me [also if tbere are idolators in hell]."


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HEBREW VISIONS OF HELL AND PARADISE. 5939. The angel went, and R. Joshua answered: .. I will

do so."10. Thereupon R. Joshua went and eearohed throughParadise and he found therein 3et"t'n compartments, l eachof twelve myriads of miles in width, and twelve myriadsof miles in length; the measure of their width being thesame as that of their length.1 J. The first compartment corresponds to the first door ofParadise. Here dwell the proselytes who had embracedJudnism of their own free will, not from compulsion. Thewulls are of glass and the wainscoting of cedar. Aa Itried to measure it the inhabitants rose to prevent mefrom doing it. Obadiah the just, who presides over them,rebuked them and said: " 'Vhat are your merits that thiaman should dwell here with you P" (for they wiahed toretain him there). Thereupon they allowed him tomeasure it.

12. The second compartment corresponds to the facing ofthe door of Paradise. I t is built of silver and the wains-coting th'reof of cedar. Here dwell thoee who repent,and ~ I l 1 n a s s e h , son of Ezekiah, presides over them.

la. The third compartment., facing the third door, iabuilt of silver and gold. Here dwell Abraham, II8aCand Jacob, and all the Israelites who came out of Egypt,and the whole generation who had lived in the desert,and all the kings (princes), with the exception ofAbsalom. There is also David, and Solomon, and Kilab,son of Dllvid, still alive, 8nd all the kings of the houseof J udah, with the exception of Man888eh, who presidesover those who repent. Over these here preside Moseeand Aaron. Here are the precious ve88els of silver and~ o l d , and jewels. and canopies, and beds, and thrones,IInd lumps of gold, and precious stones and pearls. AndI Itt!ked: "For whom are all these prepared P " AndI)a\"id Illlswered and said: .. They are for those who stilldwell in the world whence thou comeat." And I asked:

I re: )fidrlL.h Ko"." iD .4.ru 1"'/).1"011, YeDiee, 1601, C. 3L.b; Ya1b&I l ~ U b ~ l I i , AOUlt.erdam, 1;00, I. 13"-lio.


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594 HEBREW nSIOXS OF HELL ,L,D PARADISE."Is here perhaps one also from the Gentiles, at leutfrom my brother Esau?" And he answered and aaid:" No; because the Almighty gives the reward of everygood deed they do in their lifetime in that world, butafter death they go down to Hell; whilst the Binners inIsrael get their punishment in their lifetime in thatworld, but after death they obtain the merit of theirgood deed here." As it is said: "And he payeth." 114. The fourth compartment, facing the fourth door ofParadise, is beautifully built, like to the first compartment,but its wainscoting is of olive-wood. Here dwell the perfect, and faithful, and just men. Why is the wainecotingof olive-wood? Because their life has been bitter to themas olives.15. The fifth compartment is of silver, and gold, andrefined gold, and of crystal, and bdellium; and through itamidst flows the river Gihon. The walls are of silver andgold, and a perfume breathes through it more exquisite thanthe perfume of Lebanon. And beds of silver and gold arethere prepared, covered with violet and purple covers, wovenby Eve, and mixed with scarlet and wade of hair of goats,woven by angels. Here dwell the ~ l e s s i a h and Elijah ina palanquin of the wood of Lebanon; the pillars thereotof silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the seat of it ofpU1111e. Herein lieth the Messiah, the son of David, whois the love of the daughters of Jerusalem, the midst thereofis love. The prophet Elijah takes the head of the Meseiahand places it in his bosom and says to him: "Be quietand wait, for the end draweth nigh." On every Mondayand Thursday and Saturday and IIoliday the Patriarchscome to him and the fathers of the Tribes and Moses andAaron and David and Solomon and every king of Israeland of the house of J udah, and they weep with him aDdcomfort him, and say unto him: " B ~ quiet and wait andrely upon thy Creator, for the end draweth nigh." AlaoKorah and his company and DathaD and Abiram and

1 Cf. Othioth de R. Akiba (Jellinek l.c. p. 23).


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HEBREW VISIONS OP HELL AND PARADISE. 595Absalom come to him on every Wednesday, and ask him:"When will the end of our misery come P When wiltthou reveal thyself P "

16. lIe answereth them and says: "Go to your fathersand ask them." And when they hear of t.heir fathers theyfeel ashamed and do not ask any further.

17. When I came to the Measiah he uked me: "What isIsrael doing in the world from which thou comest P " AndI answered and said: Cl Every day they await Thee." Heimmediately raised His voice and wept.

18. In the sixth compartment dwell those who diedthrough performing a pious act.19. In the seventh compartment dwell those who diedfrom illnesses caused through the sins of Israel.

20. R. Joshua, 80n oC Levi, tells further: "I &ekedthe lIesaiah to allow me to look into Hell, but he didnot allow me, as the righteous should never behold lIeU."So I sent to the angel called Komm that he might deecribeI11!1l for me. But it was impossible, for at that momentR. 18mael, the high priest, and R. Simeon, 80n of Gamaliel,and ten just men were killed, and the news reached us, 80I could not go with the angel. I went afterwards withthe angel Kipod and the light went with me up to thegates of Hell, and the Measiah came with me, and theywere open. The sinners who were there saw the lightof tho lIes.'1iah, and rejoiced, and said to one another:.. This will bring us out from here." 1

21. I saw compartments of ten miles length and of fivewidth, full of pits of fire, and these consume the sinners,and after their destruction they are again made wholeand full again into the fire. In that compartment areten nations from the Gentiles, and Absalom presides overthorn. These nations say one to another: "Our sin i .that we have not accepted the Law; but what is yoursill? " And the other answers: "That is al80 our sin,we are like you." They aay then to Abaalom: .. Why

I Ey. Nieodem.J.II. l .a . 1893.


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696 HEBREW VISIONS OF HELL AND PARADISE.ar t thou punished, seeing that thou as well as thy parentshast accepted the Law?" And he answers them and says:" Because I did not hearken to the commandmenta of myfather." Angels stand close by and with their stavesdrive them back into the fire and burn them. Thenthey hurry to Absalom to beat him also, and to bumhim; but 0. voice calls out to them: "Do not beat himand do not burn him, for he is from the seed of Israel,who said We will do and hearken,' and he is the IOnof my servant David." So they leave him upon his seatand honour him with the honour of a king. They bringout afterwards the sinners from the fire just as if theyhad not been burnt and the fire had never touched them;and they burn them again. This they repeat &even times,three times at day and four times at night. Abealomalone is saved because he is the son of David.22. After having seen this I returned. to Paradise, wrotedescription of Hell and sent it to R. Gamaliel and theten elders of the Jews, and I told them all what I hadseen in Paradise and Hell

IV. THE REVEI,ATION OF R. JOSHUA BEN LEVl. CB.)Paradi8e.

(Jellinek, Beth-hammidrash 11. p. 52-53; YaIkut I. 20,f. 7-; Elia ha-Co/tell: Shebet MusBar, Constantinople,720, ch. 25, f. 80-81-.)

1. R. Joshua, son of Levi, tells: "Paradise has two gatesof carbuncle, and sixty myriads of ministering angels keepwatch over them. Each of these angels shine with thelustre of the heavens. When the just man approachesthem they divest him of the clothes in which he hadbeen buried and clothe him with eight clothes, woven outof clouds of glory, and place upon his head two crowns,one of precious stones and pearls and the other of gold,l

I Cf. Ascelll!io Isaiae, viii. 14, ix. 9, 24.


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HEBREW VISIONS OP HELL AND PARADISE. 697and they place eight myrtlea in hie hand and praise himand say to him: Cl Go and eat thy bread with joy." Andthey lead him to a place full oC rivers (waters) 8urroundedby rOBeS and myrtles. Eaoh one h88 a canopy accordingto his merits, 88 it i8 _id: .. For over all the glory 8hallbe 8preud a canopy" (Is. iv. 5).

2. And through it flow four rivers, one of oil, the otherof balsam, the third. oC wine, and the fourth oC honey.E,ery canopy is overgrown by a vine of gold, and thirtypearls hang down from it, each of them 8hining like themorning star. In every canopy there i8 a table of preciou8stones and pellrls, and sixty angels stand at the head ofevery just man, _ying unto him: .. Go and eat with joyof the honey, for thou haet worked assiduously in theLaw," of whioh it i8 _id: .. And it i8 8weeter thanhoney," and drink of the wine preserved Crom the sixdllYs of Creation, for thou hast worked in the Law whichis compared with the wine," as it ie _id: .. I would causethee to drink of 8piced wine" (Song viii. 2). The leastfair of them i8 beautiful as Joseph and Johanan and thegrain8 of the pomegranate upon which fall the rays of the8un. There is no night, 88 it is _id: .. And tbe light ofthe righteous ie 88 tbe shining light" (Prov. iv. 18).3. And they undergo three transformations paeeingthrough three wam In the first ward the just iechanged into a child, and he enters the compartment ofchildren and taetee the joys of ohildhood. In the secondward he is changed into a youth, there he enjoys tbedelights of youth. In the third ward he is changed intoIIn old man, he enten the compartment of the old andenjoys the pleasures of mature age.l

4. In Paradise there are eighty myriads of trees in every('orner; the meanest among them cboicer than a gardenof spices. In every corner there are sixty myriads of angelssinging with sweet voices, and the tree of life stands inthe middle and overehadoweth the whole Panuliee; andI Pul, ch. 22, 23, .6 ; Peter, ch. 6 (H. It-20).


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598 HEBREW VISIOXS OF HELL . L ~ D PARADISE.it has 500 tastes, each different from the others, and theperfumes thereof vary likewise.! Over it hang seven cloudsof glory, and the winds blow from all the four corners andwaft its many odours from one end of the world to theother. Underneath sit the scholars and explain the Law.These have each two canopies, one of stars and the other ofsun and moon, and clouds of glory separate one from the other.5. Within this is the Eden containing 310 world&, as itis said: "That I may cause those that love me to inheritSubstance" (Prov. viii. 21) [the numerical value of theHebrew word for SubHtrmce is equivalent to 310].1

6. Here are the seven compartments of the just. In thefirst are the martyrs, as, for instance, R. Akiba and hiscompanions. In the second, those who were drowned. Inthe third, R. Johanan and his disciples. [In what consistedhis great merit P He said: cc I f all the skies were skins andall men scribes and all the forests pens, these scribes wouldnot be able to write down all that I have learned from myteachers, and still am I no more than a dog liking the sea."]The fourth group is of those who were covered by the cloudof glory. The fifth group is that of the penitents [for theplace occupied by a penitent not even a perfectly just mancan occupyJ. The sixth group is that of children who havenot yet tasted sin in their lives. 3 The seventh group is thatof the poor, who, notwithstanding that, studied the Lawand the Talmud, and had acquired moral life. Of thesespeaks the verse: "For all that put their trust in Theerejoice, and they shout for ever for joy" (Ps. v. 11). AndGod Almight.y sitteth in their midst, and expounds to themthe Law, as it is said: "Mine eyes shall be upon the faithfulof the land, that they may dwell with me" (Ps. :Km. 6).And God hath not yet fully unveiled the glory whichawaiteth them in the world to come, as it is said: "The eyebath not seen, 0 God, beside Thee, that which Thou workeatfor him that waiteth for Him" (Isaiah lxiv. 4). Amen.

1 Peter, ch. Ii (H. 16-16).2 Cf. Yalkut Reubeni, f. 14"-b.3 Cf. Paul, ch. 26.


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HEBREW VISIQNS OF HELL AND PAllADISE. 099

v.Hell.

(O,.Ilot Hayim, Vol. H. Cod. 52, Monte60re College,Ramsgate, f. 279a-b (= 1-18). Elia de Vida&:Reshit Hoohma, Constantinople, 1736, f. 40 a-IJ (=1-9, 19-21); of. ibid. f. 40b, 410. Jellinek, Bethhammidraach V. 50-51 (= 10-18).)1. R. Jobanan began his homily with the verae Cl Passingthrough the valley of weeping they make it a valley ofsprings." This means to say that the sinner oonfesaes,just as the leprous oonfeeeee, and he says: Cl I have oom- .mitted such and such a transgression in that place, on thatday. in the preaenC8 of so-and-so, in that society."2. Hell has three gates: one at the lie&, the other inthe wilderness, and the third in the inhabited part of theworld. That at the sea is alluded. to in Jonah (ii. 3):

"Out of the belly of Sheol cried I, and thou heardest myvoice." That of the wilderneea is alluded to (Numbersxvi. 33). .. So they and all that appertained to them,went down alive unto Sheol." And that in the inhabitedportion of the world (Isaiah ux i . 9) cc Saith the Lord,whose fire is in Zion and his furnace in Jerusalem."3. Nine different kind of fires are in Hell, one devoursand absorbs, another abeorbs and does not devour, whileanother again neither devours nor abeorbe. There isfurther fire devouring fire. There are coals big as mountains and coals big as hills, and coals huge like uuto theDead Sea and coals like huge stones.4. There are riven of pitch and sulphur fiowing andfuming and seething.5. The punishment of the sinner is thus: The angele ofdestruction throw him to the ftame of hell; this openaits mouth wide and swallows him [as it is said: ccTherefore Sheol hath enlarged her desire and opened her


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600 HEBREW VISIONS OF HELL AND PARADISE.mouth without measure and their glory and their multitude and their pomp and he that rejoices among themdescends into i t" (Isaiah v. 14.)] This all happens to himwho has not done one single pious act which would makethe balance incline towards mercy; whilst that man whopossesses many virtues and good actions and learning andwho has suffered much he is saved from hell [as it issaid: "Yea though I walk through the valley of theshadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art withme; thy rod and thy staff shall comfort me" (Ps. xxiii.4). "Thy rod" means the suffering and "thy staff"means the law l ].6. R. J ohanan began: "The eyes of the wicked shallfail and refuge is perished from them and their hopeshall be the giving up of the ghost" (Job H. 20). Thatmeans: a body which is never destroyed and whose lOulenters a fire which is never extinguished; of these epeabthe verse: "For their worm shall not die neither sballtheir fire be quenched" (Isaiah !xvi. 24).7. R. Joshua, son of Levi, said: Once upon a time I waswalking on my way when I met the prophet Elijah. Hesaid to me: "Would you like to be brought to the gateof hell P" I answered: " Yes!" So he showed me menhanging by their hair; and he said to him, these werethey that let their hair grow to adorn themselves for sin.Others were hanging by their eyes; these were they thatfollowed their eyes to sin, and did not place God beforetheir face. Others were hanging by their noaes; these werethey that perfumed themselves to sin. Others were hangingby their tongues; these were they that had slandered. Othenwere hanging by their hands; these were they that badstolen and robbed. Others were hanging by their sexualorgans; these were they that had committed adultery. Oth81'lwere hanging by their feet; these were they that had nnto sin. He showed me women hanging by their breasts ;these were they that uncovered their breasts before men,

1 Cf. Test. Abraham, ch. 12-14.


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REBREW VISIONS OF BELL AND PA.RADISE. 601to make them sin. He showed me further men that wereft'd on fiery coals; these were they that blasphemed.Others were forced to eat bitter gall; these were theythat ate on fast-days. He showed me further men eatingfine sand, they are forced to eat it and their teeth arebroken; and the Almighty eays to them: "0 ye sinners!when you used to eat that which you stole and robbedit was sweet in your mouth now you are not able to eateven this." [As it is eaid: "Thou hast broken the teethof the wicked" (Ps iii. 8).J And he showed me menwallowing in the mire and worms were set upon them;these are they of whom it is eaid: .. For their worm shallnot die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and theyshall be an abhorring unto all flesh" (Is. !xvi. 24). He8howed me further men who are thrown from fire to snowand from snow to fire; these were they that abused thepoor who came to them for assistance; therefore are theythus punished [as it is . i d : "Thou hast caused men toride ov{'r our heads; we went through fire and throughwater" (Ps. livi. 12)]. He showed me others who weredriven from mountain to mountain, as a shepherd lead.the flock from one mountain to another. [Of theeespeaks the verse: "They are appointed as a flock forSheol. Death shall be their shepherd and the uprightshall have the dominion over them in the morning, andtheir form shall be for Shool to consume that there be nohabitation for i t" (Ps. xlix. 15).] I8. R. Johanan said: "For every sin there is an angelappointed to obtain the expiation thereof; one comes firstand obtains his expiation, then follows another and so onuntil all the sins are expiated, as with a debtor who hasmtlny creditors and they come before the king and claimtheir debts, and the king delivers him to them and eays:.. Take him and divide him between yourself." So also isthe soul delivered in hell to cruel angels, and they divideit among themselves.

I I. a.-u.


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602 HEBREW ' f I S I O ~ S OF HELL AND PARADlSB.9. Three descend to hell for ever and do not ucend any

more-the man who commits adultery, who blames hisneighbour in public, and who is guilty of perjury. Otherssay: .. Those who honour themselves by slandering theirneighbours, those who make intrigues between man andwife in order to create disputes among them."10. Seven descend to Hell: the judge, the butcher, thescribe, the physician, the barber and the teacher oC veryyoung children. These, if they have fulfilled their missionconscientiously for the sake of heaven,' ascend afterwardsagain. Three, however, descend never to ascend: the manwho blames his neighbour in public, the man who alanderahis neighbour, and the man who commits adultery.11. Hell has seven names: Sheol, Abadon, Beer Shaon,Beer Shah at, Hatzar Maveth, Beer TahtiYllh, and TitHayaven.1 The length of Shool is a three years' journey,and so are its width and height. Similarly are the othersalso. Hell is thus a 2100 years' journey. I f a mandeserves punishment he is handed over to the angels ofdestruction. These seize him and lead him to the courtof death, darkness and gloom, [as it is said: "Let theirway be dark and slippery" (Ps. xxxv. 6)]. But this isnot all, for they thrust him into Hell, [as it is said: "Andthe angel of the Lord pursuing them" (Ps. xxxv. 6)].12. When a man dies and is carried along upon his bierministering angels walk before him and people walk behindthe bier following him. I f they say: .. Happy the man,for he was good and praiseworthy in his lifetime; u theangels say unto him: "Write it down," and he writes itdown.2 And this is not all, but two angels watch over theman at the moment of his death, and they know whetherhe has stolen or robbed during his lifetime; for even thestones and the beams of his house witness against him;[as it is said: "For the stones shall cry out of the walland the beam out of the timber shall answer it" (Habak.ii. 11)].8

I VII. 2.t Cf. Macari1l8, 10-11. Macariua, 12-16.

~ " " ......


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HEBREW VISIONS OF DELL A . . ~ D PARADISE. 60313. When a man dies he is brought before Abraham,

lsaac, and Jacob. They say unto him: "My lOO! whatbRst thou done in that world from which thou comest P"When he answereth: " I have bought fields and vineyards,and I have tilled them all my life." They answer: .. 0fool, that thou hast been! Hast thou not learned thewords of King David, who said: 'The earth is the Lord'sand the fulness thereof' (Ps. xxiv. 1)." Angels thenbiko him away and bring another man before them, andthey ask him in likewise. I f he answereth: " I gatheredgold and silver," they retort: "Fool that thou ar t!"Host thou not read in the books oC the prophets: "Thesilver is mine and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hoats"(lIaggai ii. 8).

H. When scholars are bronght before them, they say:" ~ I y son! What hast thou done in the world from whichthou comest P " He answers: .. I have devoted my life tothe study of the law." And the J>Iltriarchs answer: "H eentereth into peace; they rettt in their beds, each onethat wolketh in his uprightness" (Is. lvii. 2). And theAlmighty receives them with grace.

15. There are five kind'J of punishment in Hell, and II11MAsaw them all. He entered the first compartment and sawthere two men carrying pails full oC water on their shoulders,and they pour that water into a pit which, however, neverfills. lsuiah said to God: " 0 thou who unveilest all thatill hidden, unveil to me the aecret of this!" And theSpirit of the Lord answered: "These are the men whocoveted the property of their neighbours, and thus i . theirpunil!hment." I

Ifi. lie entered the aecond compartment and he saw twomen hanging by their tongueR, and he said: " 0 thou, whoul\vcihst the hidden, reveal to me the aecret of this! JJ11e answered: "These are the men who slandered, thereforethey are thus puoished!" t

17. lIe entered the tbird compartment and he saw thereI Cf. I. 36.I I. 36, t1 .


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604 HEBREW VISIOXS OF HELL AND PARADISE.men hanging by the sexual organs. He said: le 0 thouwho unveilest the hidden, reveal to me the secret of thia!"And He answered: .. These are the men who neglectedtheir own wives and committed adultery with the daughtersof Israel! " 118. He entered the fourth compartment and saw therewomen hanging by their breasts, and he said: le 0 thouwho unveilest the hidden, reveal to me the secret of these r "And He answered: Cl These are the women who uncovertheir hair and rend their veil, and sit in the open marketplace to suckle their children in order to attract the gazeof men and to make them sin; therefore they are punishedthus! "I

19. He entered the fifth compartment and found it fullof smoke. There were all the princes, chiefs, and greatmen, and Pharaoh, the wicked, presides over them andwatches at the gate of hell, and he saith unto them:cc 'Vhy did you not learn from me when I was in Egypt P"So he sits there still and watches at the gates of hell.20. On the eve of the Sabbath the sinners are led totwo mountains of snow, where they are left until the endof the Sabbath, when they are taken back from there andbrought again to their former places. An angel comesand thrusts them back to their former place in hell.' Someof them take, however, snow and hide it in their secretparts to cool them during the six days of the week, butthe Almighty says unto them: .. \Voe unto you who stealeven in hell!" [As it is said: .. Draught and heat consnmethe snow waters, in Sheol they sin." That means to say:.. They sin even in Sheo!."]21. Every twelvemonth the sinners are burned to ash.and the wind disperses them and carries those ashes underthe feet. of the just [as it is said: cc And ye shall tread downthe wicked, for they shall be ashes under the sole of yourfeet" ( ~ I a l a c h i iii. 29)].

1 I. 36.s I. 38.I I. 48.


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HEBREW VISIONS OP HBLL AND PARA.D1SI. 60522. Afterwards the soul is retumed to them and they come

out black as the blackneu of a pot, and they acknowledgethe justice of their punishment and eay: "Thou hast rightlysentenced us and rightly judged us. With Thee is righteousness and with us shame, as it is with us to-day." 1

23. The other nations, however, and the idolators arepunished in the seven compartments of hell, in each compartment for a twelvemonth. And the river Dinor ftowethfrom beneath the throne of glory and falleth over thebeads of the sinners, amd it ftoweth from one end of theworld to the other.1

24. There are seven compartments in hell, and in each ofthem are 6000 rooms, in each room 6000 windows, in eachwindow (recess) there are 6000 vessels filled with venom, alldestined for slanderous writers and iniquitous judges. [His to that, that Solomon alludes when he says: "And thoumourn at thy latter end when thy fteeh and thy body arecon!!Umed" (Prov. v. 2).] a None of these will be savedunle8s they acquire learning and pious deeds. But at theend the Almighty will have pity on all his creatures, as it issaid: .. For I will not contend for ever, neither will I bealways wroth, for the spirit shall pass before Me and theBoulll wbicb I have made" (le. lvii. 16).

VI.Hell.

(X(/cl/1//(/l/id"" Shaar ha-gemul, Ed. Warsaw, 1878, p. 10 (=2-7); cf. Orhot Hay;m, 11. f. 282"-283-; Jlidra,h

K(Jl/e/I, I.c. f. 4&).1. R. Joshua, 80n of Levi, says: "When I measured the first

compartment of Hell, I found it to be 100 miles long andiJO miles wide. Therein are pits with lions; all faU into

I Paul. i. 8.1 et. 11. 6. T.t. 011_ , Ja. . &Dd Ba,.,.., T.t. 01 AbraJwa, p. 147.s 1. t2 , YIl. t.


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606 HEBREW VISlOXS OF HELL AND PARADISE.those pits and are devoured by the lions, and the bonesare thrown into burning fire. l I entered the second com-partment and found it of the same size as the fint.12. In the second compartment, in the second division. thereare ten nations, and their punishment is like unto thatof the first compartment. Doeg presides over them andthe angel who punishes them is Lahaiiel; but Doeg isfreed from chastisement because he is a descendant fromthose who said: "We will do and hearken" (Israel).3. In the third compartment there are other ten nations,their punishment is the same. The angel who punishesthem is Sllfl/iiel. Korah who presides over them and hiscompanions are free from punishment, for they also said:" 'Ve will do and hearken."4. In the fourth compartment the punishment is thesame. There are also ten nations and Jeroboam presidesover them. The angel who punishes them is H a k t ~ l (}Iatniel). Jeroboam, however, has immunity for he him-self had studied the Law. and he cometh from those whohad said: "We will do and hearken."5. In the fifth compartment the punishment is the same.Ahab presides over them. The angel who punishes themis Hltt"iel (Oniel). Ahab has immunity because he is oneof the children of Israel who said on Mount Sinai: "W ewill do and hearken."6. In the sixth compartment the punishment is the same.Micha presides over them. The angel who punishes themis PlIsii (Hadriel). Micha is free from chastisement forhe is from those who said on Mount Sinai: " We will doand hearken."

7. In the seventh compartment the punishment is thesame. Elisha ben Abuya presides over them. The angelwho punishes them is .Dalkiel (Rugziel). Elisha. however,has immunity for he is a descendant from those who saidon Mount Sinai: "W e will do and hearken." This iathe punishment of the tens of thousand who are in each

1 Cf. Test. of Isaac; Jalllt'lBud Barnu, Test of Abraham, p. 1'7.t Here follow. in the text of Orhot Hllyim, Ill. 21.


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HEBREW VISIONS OF HELL AND PARADISE. 607compartment, and they do not see each other, for it isdark, and this darkness is that deep darkneea which existedbefore the world was created.1

VII.Hell.

(Baraita de MtU.tCl.et Gehinom: in He.ed It-AbraAam of Abr.Azulai in: Yalkut-haroim, Warsaw, 1858, f. 85, sqq.Cf. Midra.h Kom!1l, I.c. f. 3b-4a Shebet Muuar, ch.26, f. 84a.)

1. 'Ve read in the Baraita of the Creation: .. Beneath theearth is the (abyss) Tehom under Tehom is Bolm, underlluhu is Yam, under Yam is Jla!lim, under Mayim is Arka,and there is, Sheol, Abadon, Beer Shahat, Tit-hayaven,Shllare Mavet, Sbaare Tzalmavet, and Gehinom. Here arethe sinners and the angels of destruction presiding overthem. There is darkness thick as the wall of a ciLy, andthere the heavy and bitter punishments of the sinners areenacted, I1S it is said: The wicked shall be put to silence indarkness' (1 Sam. ii . 9)."

2. The uppermost compartment is SI'80/. The heightthereof is 300 years' journey; the width 300 years' journey;IInd its length 300 years' journey. The second compartmentis Beer t;hahat, of the same height, width, and length.Tho third is Tit-Ha!lacm of equal size. The fourth isSllIIflre Jlllret of the same size. The fifth Abadoll of thesame size. The 8ixth Shaare Tzalmaret of the same 8ize.The seventh Gehillom of the same size. That makes altogether the length of hell 6300 years' journey." t 'Ve readfurther: the tire of Gehioom il one-sixtieth of the fire(If Shaare Tzalmavet, and 80 of enry consecutive compartment till the tire of Sbeol, and in Sheol is half fire and

I Peter, ch. 6 (H. 21); Kaearilll, 19 ; yq . Kary.J Y. 11.


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608 HEBREW VISIONS OF HELL AND PA.RADISB.half hail (ice), and the sinners therein when they come outfrom the fire are tortured by the hail (ice), and when theycome out from the hail (ice) the fire burns them, and t.heangels who preside over them keep their souls within theirbodies [as it is said, .. for their worm shall not die, neithershall their fire be quenched" (Isaiah lxvi. 24)].3. 'Ve read further, "God created seven hells, in eachhell are seven compartments, in each compartment there areseven rivers of fire and seven of hail (ice), the widthof each is 100 cubits, its depth 1000 cubits, and its length300 cubits, and they flow one after the other, and all thesinners pass through them and are burned, but the 40,000angels of destruction who preside over them revive themand raise them on their feet and announce to them theirdeeds which were evil, and their ways which were crooked,"and they say to them, .. Pass now through the rivers orfire and hail and snow, just as you passed over and trane-gressed the law and the commandments which were givenunto you on Mount Sinai, for you feared not the fire orhell and the punishment of Abadon. Now render accountof your deeds!"

4. There are besides in every compartment 7000 holel(crevices), in every hole there are 7000 scorpions. Everyscorpion has 300 slits (cavities), in every slit 70,000 pouchelof venom, from these flow six rivers of deadly poilOn.'Vhen a man touches it he immediately bursts, every limbis torn from him, hit! body is cleft asunder, and he Callsdead upon his face. The angels of destruction collect hielimbs and set them, and revive the man and place himupon his fect and take their revenge upon him anew. 11 1. 42, V. 2 ..


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HEBREW VISIONS OF BELL AND PARADISB. 609

VIII.Paradiu.

(In MfUJsrrhet Atsil"th. eel. Warsaw. 1876, f. 54 a-b; SiddurAmram, Warsaw, 1865, I. f. 12b-13&).

R. Jsmnel tells: 11 Sagallsagel addreeeed me and . . dto me: 'My beloved I sit in my bosom and I will tellthee what will happen to Israe}.' So I sat in his boeomand he looked at me and wept; and tears flowed from hiseyes and dropped on my face. And I said: 'Gloriousheavenly light I Why dost thou weep P' And he answered:'Come and I will show unto thee what is awaiting myholy people Israel.' He took me and brought me intothe innermost place, to the treasure-house of treasures andhe took down the books and showed me the decrees ofmany misfortunes written therein. I asked him: 'Forwhom are these destined P' And he answered: 'ForllIracl ! Again I asked: 'Will they be able to endurethem P , And he answered: 'Come to-morrow and I willshow thee more calamities still.' The next day he showedme still more calamities, for some it being decreed to dieby the sword, for others to die of hunger, others againdestined for slavery. And I said: '0 glorious heavenlylight! have they indeed sinned so heavily P , Heanwl'red: 'Every day new calamities are decreed, butwhen Israel gathers in his prayer-house and repeats:")1ay IIis exalted name be praised" we retain thosecalamitics and do not let them come out from theserooms.' When I left him I heard a voice speaking inA11lmaic ond saying: 'The holy temple is destined to beruined Rnd the temple to be a burning light, and thekingly palace delivered over to the owls and the youngto slavcry. and the princes to death and the pure altarto be profaned, and the table for the shewbread will becarrild off by enemies, and Jerusalem will be a deeert.and the land of Israel a delOlation.' When I heard these


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610 HEBREW YISIOXS OF HELL AND PARADISE.words I was terrified and trembled and I fell down.Then came the angel Hadarniel and breathed ioto me anew soul and lifted me upon my feet and said to me:'My beloved! what hath happened unto thee P , AndI answered: ' 0 glorious heavenly light! is there indeedno salvation for Israel?' And he answered and said:'Come and I will show thee the treasures of comfort andhelp stored up for Israel.' He brought me up and Isaw groups of angels weaving raiments of salvation andmaking crowns of life and fixing in them precious stonesand pearls, and anointing them with all kinds of spicesand delights. l I asked: 'For whom are these all destinedP'He answered: 'For David, king of Israel.' And I said:'Show me the glory of David.' And he said: C Waitthree hours until David will come hither in his glory.'So he took me and placed me in his bosom, and he askedme: "Vbat dost thou see?' I answered: C I see sevenlightnings running into one another.' He said: 'Shutthine eyes that thou mayest not be dazzled by the lightwhich precedes King David.' At that moment the wheelsand Ophanim and holy Creat.ures and the treasures ofrain and SllOW, and the clouds of glory and the planet.and the ministering angels moved and shook and said:'The heavens declare the glory of God' (Ps. xix. 1). Iheard then a loud voice proceeding from Eden crying:'The I.ord reigneth for ever and ever,' and lo! Daridwas in front and all the kings of his house after him,each one with his crown upon his head; but the crownof David surpassed them all, its lustre shineth from oneend of the world unto the other. And David went up tothe heavenly Temple, where a throne of fire stood readyfor him, whose height is of 40 parasangs, its length andits width double the same. When David took his aeatllpon the throne prepared for him, facing that of hisCreator, all the kings of Judah ranged themselves beforehim, and the kings of Israel stood behind him. Then he

1 IV. 1.


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HEBREW VISIONS OF HELL AND PARADISE. 611began to utter hymn8 and praise8, 8uch as no human earhas heard.! And when he . i d : The Lord will reign forever and ever.' Metraton and hi8 company responded: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of H08ts,' and the holyCreatured praised and said: Blessed be the glory of theLord in its place.' The heaven8 say: The Lord will reignfor ever and ever.' The earth saY8: The Lord hathreigned, does reign, and will reign for ever,' and all thekings respond and say: And the Lord will be king overthe whole earth.' ..

I Palll, ch. 29.

1 . A.I. 1893. 40

Hebrew visions of hell and paradise - Gaster (1893)

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