The Eighth Heaven

Hagigah 13a

And Rav Aha bar Yaakov said: There is yet one more firmament above the heads of the living creatures, as it is written: "And over the heads of the living creature there was the likeness of a firmament, like the color of the awesome ice" (Ezekiel 1:22). Up to here you have permission to speak; from here on you do not have permission to speak, for so it is written in the book of Ben Sira: "Into what is too wondrous for you do not inquire, and into what is concealed from you do not search. Concerning what is permitted to you reflect; you have no business with hidden things." And is it not so that from the earth to the firmament is a journey of five hundred years, and the thickness of the firmament is a journey of five hundred years, and likewise between each and every firmament? Above them are the holy living creatures. The feet of the living creatures correspond to all of them; the ankles of the living creatures correspond to all of them; the shins of the living creatures correspond to all of them; the knees of the living creatures correspond to all of them; the thighs of the living creatures correspond to all of them; the bodies of the living creatures correspond to all of them; the necks of the living creatures correspond to all of them; the heads of the living creatures correspond to all of them; the horns of the living creatures correspond to all of them. Above them is the Throne of Glory. The legs of the Throne of Glory correspond to all of them; the Throne of Glory corresponds to all of them; the King, the living and enduring God, high and exalted, dwells above them.

Themes

Original Sources

Biblical References