Kabbalah Library

665. The reason is that he diminishes the image, and they are ostracized in the next world, and their actions are diminished before the Creator. It is written about them, “And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against Me. For their worm shall not die,” for anyone who blemishes his circumcision, it is as though he blemishes another place.

666. “Happy is the man who fills his pouch with them.” This verse speaks of one who engages in multiplication. What does it mean that he continues, “He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate”?

667. When a person leaves this world and his soul comes to enter the place that is suitable for her, several sabotaging angels stand on this side and on that side, and several angels of peace stand on this side and on that side. If he merits, the angels of peace greet him and tell him, “Come in peace.” If he does not merit, sabotaging angels greet him and say, “Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.”

668. This is one who did not engage in leaving a son in this world. Anyone who leaves a son in this world, and teaches him Torah and good deeds, sabotaging angels and Hell do not control him, as it is written, “He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” These are sabotaging angles, who cannot control him.

669. One should not say, “My Torah and good deeds protect me, and I will not engage in multiplication.” Rather, although he has Torah and good deeds in his hand, he will not enter the presence of the Creator and will have no share in the next world.

670. There is no person with Torah and good deeds like Hezekiah king of Judah. It is written about him, “Thus said the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live,’” for you are dead in this world, and you will not live in the next world.

671. It is written, “In the morning, sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand,” meaning that one must engage in multiplication when he is young and when he is old, so as not to let go of it. And even though he is old, he must not retire himself, for you do not know which will be suitable, this one or that one.

672. Rabbi Yohanan was old and of many days, and his eyes grew dim, and he was very weak. He got up and said, “What am I for the next world, since I had sons and they died?” His disciples told him, “Our teacher, we drink your water, and one who teaches his friend’s son Torah, it is as though he begot him. It follows that you are leaving many sons to strengthen you in the next world.” His mind was not eased by that.

673. Finally, the Creator opened the eyes of one elderly man, who got up and said, “It is written about you, Rabbi Yohanan, who is old and very weak, and unfit to marry a wife, and about Rabbi Hizkiya, who is sterile, “Thus said the Lord, ‘To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me, and hold fast My covenant, I will give in My house and within My walls a place and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.” Rabbi Yohanan’s mind was set at ease. He said to him, “May your mind be at ease, as you have put my mind at ease.”