The Two Men Whose Only Talent Was Making People Laugh

Exempla of the Rabbis, No. 406

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·March 24, 2026

406. Men Worthy of Paradise.

Taanit, f. 22 a.

Maase Buch No. 43. Ben Gorion II, p. 218, 354.

Cod. G. 184, No. 38.

Themes

Death Heaven Paradise

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Exempla of the Rabbis (Gaster, 1924)Miraculous Apple from ParadiseA miraculous apple from Paradise, a single fruit carrying the fragrance and power of the Garden of Eden, is the subject of this tale, preserved in medieval Jewi Exempla of the Rabbis (Gaster, 1924)Warder Worthy of ParadiseThe Talmud (Taanit 22a) tells of Elijah the prophet revealing to Rabbi Beroka which people in the marketplace were destined for the World to Come. Rabbi Beroka Exempla of the Rabbis (Gaster, 1924)Companion in ParadiseRabbi Beroka of Be Hozai once stood in the market of Be Lapat beside the prophet Elijah, and he asked whether anyone in that crowded place was destined for the Sefer HaZichronotThe Messiah In HellMashiach – the Messiah – is often remembered as a future figure, the one who will usher in an era of peace and redemption. But what about now? Where is he? What ApocryphaAdam Cries Out as the First Human to Face DeathApocrypha turns to Adam Cries Out as the First Human to Face Death. Well, Jewish tradition has a lot to say about the death of Adam, the first human. And it's n Book of JubileesCain Married His Sister and Blood Cried OutThe Book of Jubilees, an ancient Jewish text not included in the Hebrew Bible but considered scripture by some, touches on this very idea. It speaks of a profou