Jewish tradition offers a compelling, if sometimes terrifying, answer: Gehenna.

But what exactly is Gehenna? And where is it?

Well, that’s where things get interesting. It's not quite as simple as "heaven" and "hell." Jewish tradition sees Gehenna more as a place of purification, a cosmic laundry cycle, if you will, than a place of eternal damnation for most. But that doesn’t mean it’s a pleasant vacation spot.

So, where do we find this… spiritual spa treatment center? The descriptions are as varied as the opinions on pineapple on pizza. Some say it’s above the firmament, that great expanse we see as the sky. Others place it deep, deep below the earth, in the planet’s basement. And still others imagine it lurking behind the Mountains of Darkness, a truly remote and forbidding location.

And size? Oh, the scale is epic! According to some accounts, Gehenna is as big as the Garden of Eden. And we all know that Eden, paradise itself, is said to be boundless, infinite. Talk about a large plot of land.

Now, when did this place come into being? That's another point of debate. Some believe Gehenna existed even before the universe itself was created! Others suggest the space for Gehenna was created first, a sort of pre-emptive measure, but its fires didn’t actually ignite until the eve of the first Sabbath. Imagine that – the universe gets its first day of rest, and Gehenna gets its fiery start.

Then there are those who claim the fires of Gehenna were specifically created on the second day of creation. But here's a twist – ordinary fire, the kind we use to roast marshmallows (or, you know, more practical things), wasn’t created until after the end of the Sabbath. It's like Gehenna got the express pass on fire technology.

Now, these aren’t your average campfire flames. The fires of Gehenna are so intense, so incredibly powerful, that they supposedly make the sun appear red in the evening as it passes over them. That's one heck of a visual. And these fires? According to tradition, they will never be extinguished.

But wait, there's more! As Tree of Souls (Schwartz) tells us, Gehenna isn’t just about fire. It's a dual-climate destination. It’s half fire and half… hail. Yes, you read that right: scorching flames and bone-chilling ice. And here’s the kicker: the hail is said to be much, much worse than the fire. You might think, "Oh, fire, that's bad," but imagine being constantly bombarded by icy shards after being burned. Ouch!

So, what does this all mean? Is Gehenna a literal place? A metaphor? A terrifying warning? Perhaps it's all of the above. Maybe it's a reminder that our actions have consequences, that the choices we make in this life matter. Maybe it's a promise that even after death, there's a chance for purification and growth. Whatever your take, the story of Gehenna certainly gives us something to think about, doesn’t it?