The Jewish tradition has some pretty wild answers, especially when it comes to LEVIATHAN.
Now, Leviathan. We're not talking about a simple sea creature here. This is a primordial beast, a monster of the deep so immense its very existence shakes the cosmos. But, according to some stories, even such a magnificent creature has its drawbacks. The Legends of the Jews tells us there's one rather unfortunate thing about Leviathan: its absolutely terrible smell. So potent, in fact, that were it to waft into Paradise, it would make the whole place uninhabitable! Who knew cosmic beasts could have such… fragrance issues?
But don't let that put you off your celestial appetite! Because here’s the real kicker: the ultimate purpose of Leviathan is to be served as a delectable treat to the pious in the world to come. Think of it as the ultimate reward for a life well-lived. A cosmic surf-and-turf, if you will.
According to the legends, the female Leviathan was immediately salted away after her demise, brined and preserved, patiently awaiting the grand banquet. And the male? He’s destined to be a sight to behold, a magnificent spectacle before becoming dinner.
So, how does this cosmic catering come about? Well, when Leviathan’s time is at hand, God calls upon the angels to battle the beast. But, as Ginzberg's Legends of the Jews describes it, the moment Leviathan casts its gaze upon the angels, they scatter in fear! They try again, armed with swords, but Leviathan's scales are impervious, turning steel to straw. Darts and stones? They just bounce right off.
Discouraged, the angels give up. That's when God steps in and commands Leviathan and BEHEMOT – another colossal beast, this one terrestrial – to fight each other. Think Godzilla vs. King Kong, but with divine implications.
The result? A double knockout. Behemot is slain by a blow from Leviathan's fin, while Leviathan succumbs to a lash from Behemot's tail. Talk about a dramatic end!
But death is not the end of the story. According to the legends, God will then use Leviathan's skin to create tents, shelters for the righteous as they feast on the creature's flesh. The Zohar tells us how important this is. Each person receives a portion according to their merit, and no one feels envy, because everyone gets what they deserve.
And the leftovers? The remaining skin will be stretched over Jerusalem, becoming a radiant canopy, its light illuminating the entire world! As for the leftover flesh, it will be distributed amongst the rest of humanity, becoming a commodity for trade, as we find in Midrash Rabbah. A cosmic economy fueled by monster meat!
It's a wild image, isn’t it? These legends, so vivid and strange, offer us a glimpse into a world where the boundaries between the physical and the spiritual blur. It makes you wonder: What other wonders await us beyond this world? What unexpected feasts and unimaginable sights are in store? And maybe, just maybe, what part do we play in preparing for that ultimate banquet?