Final Instalment * After going through three additional incarnations without correcting their inequities, apparently there is no hope for the extremely wicked … but Rashbi outlines a process of further correction to ultimately achieve closeness to G-d.
“This is a wondrous testimony of the benevolence and truth meted out upon the wicked … they shall be altogether holy, but compared to the tzaddikim, who are above them, in allegorical terms they are described as being “ash beneath their feet.”
c) Kareis, soul excision, is the punishment for [serious transgressions, such as] idolatry and the like. Our Sages say about kareis, quoting the verse, “‘Hikareis tikareis ha’nefesh, etc. – that soul shall surely be cut off, etc.’:
The contradiction is even more pronounced considering that “T’chiyas HaMeisim is [only] for tzaddikim g’murim (totally righteous individuals),” especially how Tanya defines tzaddik gamur, as Rashbi said, “I have seen exalted people and they are few … and it is [a spiritual state] akin to Olam HaBa, etc
It would seem then that those who do not fit in that category will not rise in T’chiyas HaMeisim. In fact, the maamer “L’havin biur inyan ha’Avos” states explicitly that all Jews have a portion in Olam HaBa except those whom our Sages have specified…
Now, when we delve into the matter, it is readily understood that indeed [it is not just a possible outcome that all souls will cleave to their Divine source in Olam HaBa] it must be this way.
The verse, “And they shall go out and see the corpses of the people who rebelled against Me, for … their fire shall not be quenched,” which speaks of eternal damnation refers to the sinners of the Gentile nations, whereas rebellious Jews “are punished only momentarily in Gehinom, before Avrohom Avinu comes and lifts them up from there (meaning that he acquits their judgement) and (even) greets them.”
Part Five * Having discussed the possibility that every Jew, without exception, has a portion in Olam HaBa, proof can also be brought that it will indeed be that way. Every single Jew, without exception, will eventually unite with his or her Divine source in Olam HaBa.
Part Four * The Mishna “Cheilek” refers to the resurrection of both souls and bodies together. Regarding this phenomenon the Mishna says that Yaravam and the others will not rise, for their bodies will be eradicated [forever]. The Yerushalmi, on the other hand, refers to their souls, which will live again in the era of T’chiyas HaMeisim – but in different bodies.
Part Three * This wicked person is said to not have a portion in Olam HaBa specifically when postmortem retribution is not meted out against his body. If he did suffer that fate though, the harm benefits him, as our Sages said: “It is a good sign for the deceased that retribution was exacted upon him [i.e., his body] after death,” for it brings him atonement
Part Two * Since Rav Yochanan had no special connection to Elisha ben Avuya, why did specifically Rav Yochanan seek to save him and indeed succeed in doing so?
Since ‘Even the sinners of the Jewish people are filled with Mitzvos like a pomegranate [is filled with seeds],’ all Jews have a portion in Olam HaBa, in T’chiyas HaMeisim – with the exception of those enumerated by the Sages… * The Rebbe MH”M responds to seeming contradictions regarding the ultimate stage in Creation
August 31, 2018