But then comes the angel Hadariel, who revives him, gives him back his breath and spirit, and sets him back on his feet. "My friend," Hadariel asks, "what came over thee?"
Our visionary, still reeling, asks the question that’s been on the hearts of Jews for centuries: “Your Excellency, is there no restoration for Israel?”
And Hadariel doesn't just offer comforting words. He offers a tour – a peek into the “treasuries of consolations and treasuries of salvations.” Think of it as a divine workshop, buzzing with activity. What does he see? Companies of ministering angels, all hard at work. They're not building things out of wood and stone, though. They are "weaving garments of salvations and making crowns of life," adorned with precious stones and pearls. They’re even compounding spices and perfumed wines – all for the righteous. Can you imagine the aroma? The shimmering beauty?
But one crown stands out from all the others. It’s…different. Extra special. The sun, the moon, and the twelve signs of the zodiac are all embedded within it. Naturally, our visionary wants to know who these crowns are for. Hadariel tells him, simply, "For Israel."
And that different crown? The one with all the celestial bling? "That is destined," Hadariel says, "for David, the king of Israel." David! The shepherd, the warrior, the poet, the king.
Intrigued, our visionary asks the obvious next question: “Your Excellency, show me the glory of David.”
But divine encounters rarely give us everything we want all at once. Hadariel tells him, "My friend, wait for three hours until David cometh hither and thou shalt behold his greatness." The passage ends there, leaving us hanging. What happens in those three hours? What does David’s glory look like?
This passage from Heikhalot Rabbati offers a powerful glimpse into the hopes and dreams of the Jewish people. It's a reminder that even in the face of immense challenges, the vision of restoration and the promise of reward for the righteous remains alive. And it hints at the special place held by King David, not just in history but in the celestial realms. Ultimately, it's a story about hope, perseverance, and the enduring promise of a brighter future. A future, perhaps, worth waiting three hours for.