It’s a question the rabbis grappled with for centuries, resulting in some truly mind-bending imagery about Gehenna, often translated as Hell.
The wicked themselves apparently wondered about this very problem. "How many myriads can Gehenna hold?" they ask, according to Pesikta Rabbati (41:3). "Two hundred, three hundred myriads? How can it ever hold all the wicked who appear in every generation?" It's a fair question, right? If you believe in this sort of thing, the numbers could get pretty astronomical.
But God, never one to be outdone, has a ready answer. "As you increase," He replies, "Gehenna, too, increases, growing wider and broader and deeper every day."
Think about that for a second. A Hell that literally expands to accommodate the never-ending influx of sinners! It’s a pretty potent image.
The prophet Isaiah (30:33) provides a sort of visual: "His fire-pit has been made both wide and deep." The idea is that God is actively involved. Even though, as the tradition says, He finished creating the world and rested on the seventh day, He continues to ensure that punishment is meted out to the wicked, just as rewards are given to the righteous. It's an ongoing process.
What’s the takeaway here? The underlying point of this myth about Gehenna is that there will always be room for more sinners. God will see to that. The rabbis weren't just concerned with logistics; they were emphasizing divine justice. No one slips through the cracks.
So, the next time you find yourself pondering the mysteries of the afterlife, remember the ever-expanding Gehenna. It’s a reminder of the seriousness with which Jewish tradition views ethical behavior and the consequences of our actions. And perhaps, a bit of a chilling thought to carry with you.