And while we often imagine it as a single, unified place, Jewish tradition offers a far more intricate and fascinating vision.
According to some accounts, Paradise—or Gan Eden, the Garden of Eden—isn't just one place, but is divided into seven distinct sections, each with its own unique character and inhabitants. And get this: each section is said to be twelve myriads (that's hundreds of millions!) of miles in both width and length. Talk about expansive!
The first division, as described in Ginzberg's Legends of the Jews, is reserved for those who chose Judaism freely, the proselytes who converted without coercion. Imagine walls of shimmering glass and wainscoting of fragrant cedar. And overseeing this welcoming space? None other than the prophet Obadiah himself, who, fittingly, was also a proselyte.
Next, we arrive at the second division, built of shining silver and paneled with cedar. This is the realm of those who have repented, the baalei teshuvah, those who have turned back to the path. Presiding over them is Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, a king of Judah who himself famously repented after a period of idolatry. His presence there offers a powerful message of hope and redemption.
The third division is even more opulent, constructed of both silver and gold. Here, we find the patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – along with all the Israelites who left Egypt and the entire generation that wandered in the desert. Even David is there, alongside his sons (except for Absalom, of course – more on him later). We're also told that all the kings of Judah reside here, with the notable exception of Manasseh, who, as we know, is busy overseeing the second division. And who are the main authorities here? Moses and Aaron, of course. This section boasts precious vessels, jewels, canopies, and thrones – the very best of everything in Heaven.
As we move on, the fourth division is built of beautiful rubies, its walls glowing with a warm, inviting light. The wainscoting here is made of olive wood. Why olive wood? Because, as Legends of the Jews suggests, these are the "perfect and steadfast in faith," whose lives, though righteous, were often "bitter as olives."
The fifth division is a dazzling display of silver, gold, refined gold, glass, and bdellium (a fragrant resin). The river Gihon, one of the four rivers of Paradise, flows through it. The aroma is said to be more exquisite than the perfume of Lebanon. And here, in this glorious space, we find the Messiah.
Yes, the Messiah resides in Paradise, awaiting the appointed time. He sits on a palanquin made of Lebanese cedar, with silver pillars, a golden base, and a purple seat. And who is with him? Elijah the prophet, who cradles the Messiah's head and whispers, "Be quiet, for the end draweth nigh."
According to this legend, on Mondays, Thursdays, Sabbaths, and holidays, the Patriarchs, the twelve sons of Jacob, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, and all the kings of Israel and Judah visit the Messiah. They weep with him, comfort him, and urge him to trust in God. As we find in Midrash Rabbah, even in Paradise, there's a sense of longing for the ultimate redemption.
But the story doesn't end there. On Wednesdays, Korah and his company, along with Dathan, Abiram, and Absalom—all figures who rebelled against authority—come to the Messiah with a plaintive cry: "How long before the end comes full of wonders? When wilt thou bring us life again, and from the abysses of the earth lift us?" The Messiah, in turn, tells them to ask their fathers. But they are ashamed and do not.
What does this all mean? This elaborate vision of Paradise isn't just a description of a physical place. It's a reflection of our deepest hopes, fears, and desires. It's a reminder that even in the most perfect of realms, there's still longing, still a need for redemption, and still the echo of past mistakes. And perhaps, most importantly, it shows us that even those who have strayed can find a place in the divine plan.
Food for thought, isn't it?