Rabbi Aḥa interpreted the verse regarding Torah. In its joy, rejoice. “And on a day of misfortune, see” – you will be among the onlookers, in whose regard it is written: “They will emerge and see the carcasses of the people” (Isaiah 66:24), and not among those who are seen, in whose regard it is written: “Their worm will not die” (Isaiah 66:24). “This as well as that,” these are Gehenna and the Garden of Eden.
How much separates them? It is one handbreadth. Rabbi Yoḥanan said: A wall. The Rabbis say: They are adjacent, so they can peek at one another.
Rabbi Levi interpreted the verse [as follows]: On the festivals that I gave you, rejoice and bring joy to the Holy One blessed be He with offerings. If a year comes without a drought, go out to your vineyard, look and rejoice, look at your olive trees and rejoice. The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘I did not create as good an advocate for rain as the day of Shemini Atzeret.’ That is what is written: “On the eighth day, an assembly [it shall be for you]” (Numbers 29:35).113It is on your behalf.