And what they've imagined is pretty incredible.
According to tradition, within Paradise – also known as Gan Eden – lie not just one, but six palaces, each a home for the souls of righteous women. That's what Howard Schwartz tells us in Tree of Souls, drawing from various mystical sources. Imagine: each woman, a palace of her own! And within those chambers? Beautiful canopies, angels standing guard, and every single day, they’re crowned with the radiance of the Shekhinah – the divine feminine presence. It's a vision of beauty and honor beyond our wildest dreams.
The first palace is ruled by Bitiah, Pharaoh's daughter. Remember her? The one who defied her father and raised Moses as her own son. What an act of defiance and compassion! In Paradise, Bitiah continues her role as a nurturer and teacher. She instructs thousands upon thousands of pious women in the commandments of the Torah, serving as their queen. These women, according to the tradition, retain their human forms, are clothed in garments of light, and experience unending joy. And get this: three times a day, Bitiah goes to a curtain – a symbolic barrier, perhaps? – and bows before the image of Moses, proclaiming, "Fortunate am I for drawing such a light out of the water." It's a powerful image of maternal pride and recognition.
Then there's Serah bat Asher, ruling over another vast multitude of righteous women. Their focus? Praises of God and contemplation of the Torah's commandments. Just like Bitiah, Serah also has a ritual. Three times a day, she bows before the image of Joseph, saying, "Happy was the day on which I gave the good news about Joseph to my grandfather, Jacob." This comes from Serah's role in folklore as the one who brought Jacob the news that Joseph was still alive in Egypt after his brothers sold him into slavery. (Ginzberg, Legends of the Jews). She was known for her wisdom and longevity, and in Paradise, she's forever celebrated for her act of bringing hope.
And who else has a palace? Yocheved, the mother of Moses; Miriam the prophetess, his sister; and Deborah the prophetess, the judge and warrior. Powerful, influential women, each a beacon of righteousness.
But here's where things get really interesting. During the day, the men and women in Paradise are separate, divided by a curtain. But every night, at midnight, they come together. Why midnight? Well, that's considered the hour of copulation, a time of intense spiritual connection. Soul cleaves to soul, light to light, and the Zohar tells us that the fruit of this union are the souls of those who will become converts to Judaism. It's a powerful and somewhat surprising image: the most intimate of acts leading to the expansion of the Jewish people.
What does it all mean? This vision of Paradise tells us a lot about the values of the tradition. Righteousness, compassion, learning, leadership – all are rewarded. And the inclusion of women like Bitiah, Serah, Yocheved, Miriam, and Deborah emphasizes their essential roles in Jewish history and spirituality. It's a reminder that Paradise isn't just a place of rest, but a place of continued learning, connection, and creation. As we find in Midrash Rabbah, the world to come is a place of great rejoicing and celebration.
So, the next time you think about Paradise, remember those six palaces, the righteous women within, and the powerful, transformative connections they make. It's a vision that challenges us to think about what it means to live a righteous life and the rewards that await us. It is also a reminder that women have always been essential and central to the Jewish tradition.