The Smoking Furnace and Flaming Torch Between Abraham's Covenant Pieces

"And it came to pass, when the sun went down" (Genesis 15:17) — when the kingdom of the Messiah, who is called "sun," shall arrive. "and it was dark" — upon the nations of the world, as it is said, "and thick darkness the peoples" (Isaiah 60:2). "and behold a furnace of fire and a torch of fire" — that He will judge the nations of the world in Gehinnom, as it is written concerning it, "saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and His furnace in Jerusalem" (Isaiah 31:9). Another interpretation: "a torch of fire" — this is the salvation of Israel, as it is said, "and the salvation thereof as a torch that burneth" (Isaiah 62:1). "that passed between these pieces" — at the time when Israel shall be saved, the nations of the world shall go down to Gehinnom. Another interpretation: why did "a smoking furnace and a torch of fire" pass through, etc.? The Holy One, blessed be He, made it as an example: at the time when Abimelech gave him sheep and cattle and the two of them cut a covenant — therefore the Holy One, blessed be He, commanded Abraham to take a heifer, a goat, and a ram and to cut them in the midst; and now the furnace and torch of fire that passed between the pieces, it was as though the Holy One, blessed be He, passed between them and cut a covenant with Abraham. And concerning this it is said, "In that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram," etc. (Genesis 15:18). Another interpretation: "and behold a smoking furnace and a torch of fire." Did not the Holy One, blessed be He, thus say to Abraham, "Which of them do you choose — that your children be subjugated by the kingdoms and be spared the judgment of Gehinnom?" And when he chose the subjugation for himself, He said to him, "You have chosen well," and the Holy One, blessed be He, agreed with him.