Showing posts with label Gehinnom. Show all posts

Bereishit - What Preceded the Creation


Before creating the universe, Hashem brought into existence seven concepts which are essential for the functioning of the world:

  1. Torah
  2. Teshuvah
  3. Gan Eden
  4. Gehinnom
  5. The Kisei Hakavod (Heavenly Throne of Glory)
  6. The Beit Hamikdash
  7. The name of Mashiach
Ways these seven particular creations are vital to mankind and therefore had to be conceived even prior to Creation:

  • The world was created solely for the purpose of learning Torah and fulfilling its dictates.
  • Teshuvah was conceived in order to maintain existence. A world without teshuvah would inevitably perish in the face of Hashem's judgment.
  • Gan Eden was conceived in order to insure a reward for the righteous.
  • Gehinnom was conceived in order to provide punishment for the wicked.
  • The Kisei Hakavod was conceived prior to the universe in order to manifest Hashem's Glory in the world.
  • The place where the Shechinah was to dwell permanently is the Beit Hamikdash. Therefore, the concept of the Beit Hamikdash was conceived as a condition for Creation.
  • The final goal of humanity is to attain the state of the days of Mashiach; therefore the name of Mashiach had to be formulated even before the world's inception.

Source: Midrash Says; Gemara Nedarim 39a

Perek Shirah - Gehinnom Says

Saturday, February 13, 2016 · Posted in ,

גֵּיהִנֹּם אוֹמֵר - Gehinnom Says...

Tehillim 107:9

כִּי-הִשְׂבִּיעַ נֶפֶשׁ שֹׁקֵקָה וְנֶפֶשׁ רְעֵבָה מִלֵּא-טוֹב
ki-hisbia nefesh shokeka venefesh reeva mile-tov
For He has satisfied the longing soul, and the hungry soul He has filled with good.

Concerning thirst the Scripture speaks of "longing," for the craving of the thirsty person for drink is stronger than the craving of the hungry person for food.

Through suffering the soul is filled with praise and thanksgiving to G-d.  The human being receives instruction and becomes complete through suffering.

When man's days on earth are over, his soul longs for the infinite spiritual delights and rewards of the World to Come.  But the years on earth are not free of sin, and sin comes at a price.  There must be atonement.  The blemished soul must be purged and purified in Gehenna before it can be welcomed to the bliss of Paradise above.

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