Even MOSES himself couldn't get a straight answer.
The story goes that Moses, in his insatiable quest for knowledge, posed this very question to Shamshiel, the prince of Paradise. As we learn in Legends of the Jews, even Shamshiel couldn't give him a definitive answer about its size. He confessed that Paradise can "neither be measured nor fathomed nor numbered." Mind-boggling, right? The sheer scale is beyond human comprehension, perhaps even beyond angelic comprehension.
But Shamshiel did offer Moses a tantalizing peek into the architecture of the afterlife. He described the thrones, and oh, what thrones they are! Forget your garden-variety gilded chairs. These thrones are crafted from the most exquisite materials imaginable.
Some are silver, some gold, others shimmering with precious stones, pearls, rubies, and carbuncles. Each material, it seems, corresponds to a different virtue or accomplishment. Shamshiel breaks it down for Moses, revealing that the pearl thrones are reserved for the scholars, those dedicated souls who immerse themselves in the Torah, Jewish sacred law, day and night, purely for the love of it – Torah lishmah. The thrones made of precious stones await the pious, the rubies gleam for the just, the gold shines for repentant sinners, and the silver is bestowed upon righteous proselytes.
And the hierarchy doesn't stop there! "The greatest of them all," Shamshiel continues, "is the throne of Abraham." Makes sense, right? Then come the thrones of Isaac and Jacob, followed by the prophets, the saints, and the righteous. Each throne's size and splendor reflect the individual's worth, rank, and the good deeds they accumulated during their earthly existence. It's like a celestial meritocracy, where your actions speak louder than… well, louder than anything!
But here's where the story takes a truly unexpected turn. Moses, ever the inquisitive one, asks about a throne made of copper. Copper? Amongst all this gold and jewels? What's that doing there?
Shamshiel's answer is both surprising and deeply comforting: "For the sinner that has a pious son." Legends of the Jews tells us that through the merits of his son, this imperfect soul receives a share in Paradise.
Isn't that incredible? The idea that even in the face of our own failings, the good deeds of our children can elevate us. It highlights the powerful interconnectedness of generations and the enduring impact of righteous living. It's a reminder that even when we stumble, hope remains, not just for ourselves, but for the legacy we leave behind.
So, what does this glimpse into Paradise tell us? Perhaps it's not just about the rewards that await us, but about the choices we make here and now. Maybe the thrones aren't just waiting for us; maybe we’re building them, stone by stone, pearl by pearl, with every act of kindness, every moment of devotion, and every effort to live a more righteous life. And maybe, just maybe, those efforts extend beyond ourselves, touching the lives of our loved ones and echoing through eternity.