Gehenna Seething

"He will rain upon the wicked coals" (Psalms 11:6). This is like that which is said, "As coal to embers and wood to fire" (Proverbs 26:21). The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Anyone who exalts himself, his end is to be judged in fire. The generation of the flood, "In its heat they are consumed from their place" (Job 6:17). The men of the tower, "And fire consumed their remnant" (Job 22:20). The men of Sodom, "And the LORD rained" (Genesis 19:24). Pharaoh, "Hail and fire" (Exodus 9:24). Sennacherib, "It shall burn a burning like the burning of fire" (Isaiah 10:16), for it burned him within and left his garments outside, because they were of the descendants of Shem, as it is said, "The sons of Shem: Elam and Asshur" (Genesis 10:22). Nebuchadnezzar, as it is said, "Walking in the midst of the fire" (Daniel 3:25). Sisera, "From heaven they fought" (Judges 5:20). Edom, as it is said, "And it was given to the burning of fire" (Daniel 7:11). Gog and Magog, as it is said, "And I will send fire upon Magog" (Ezekiel 39:6). The rest of the worshipers of stars, as it is said, "For with fire the LORD will execute judgment" (Isaiah 66:16). Hiram, as it is said, "And I will bring forth fire from your midst" (Ezekiel 28:18). Another interpretation: "coals" (pachim) [read as] snares (metzudim), like that which is said, "As a bird hastens to the snare" (Proverbs 7:23). "Fire and brimstone" (Psalms 11:6). Rabbi Yudan said: When a person smells brimstone, his soul recoils against him, for it knows that by it he is destined to be judged, as it is said, "As an east wind I will scatter them" (Jeremiah 18:17). There are four cups of retribution for the worshiping nations, and four cups of salvation for Israel.