ALL JEWS SHALL RISE IN OLAM HA’T’CHIYA: PART 9

The contradiction is even more pronounced considering that “T’chiyas HaMeisim is [only] for tzaddikim g’murim (totally righteous individuals),” especially how Tanya  defines tzaddik gamur, as Rashbi said, “I have seen exalted people and they are few … and it is [a spiritual state] akin to Olam HaBa, etc.”

Translated by Boruch Merkur (Continued from last issue)

Rav Abahu said (Taanis 7a): “A rainy day is greater than T’chiyas HaMeisim, because T’chiyas HaMeisim is for tzaddikim, whereas rain benefits the wicked as well as the righteous.” Although the Gemara concludes there with the opposing view of Rav Yosef, since Rambam brings Rav Abahu’s view (in Perush HaMishnayos, “Kol Yisroel”) the halacha presumably follows his opinion – that only tzaddikim merit Olam HaBa, contradicting the resolution above that every single Jew will rise in T’chiyas HaMeisim. The contradiction is even more pronounced considering the alternate version in Taanis (ibid), “T’chiyas HaMeisim is for tzaddikim g’murim (totally righteous individuals)” (as quoted in Seifer Ikarim, maamer 4, Ch. 31, as well as Seifer Avodas HaKodesh Vol. 2, Ch. 42), especially in light of how Tanya (Ch. 10 and 14) defines tzaddik gamur, as Rashbi said, “I have seen exalted people and they are few … and it is [an elevated consciousness or spiritual state] akin to Olam HaBa, etc.”

Irrespective of the latter difficulty, it still needs to be explained how Rav Abahu’s statement does not present an opposing view to the Mishna, “All Jews have a portion in Olam HaBa,” and the Mishna only qualifies this with the exception of “one who says that T’chiyas HaMeisim is not derived from the Torah, etc.”

We must therefore say that with the term “tzaddikim” Rav Abahu refers to all Jews – as in the verse, “And Your nation are all tzaddikim” – and they all merit Olaam Haba other than those enumerated by the Sages. Indeed, the commentaries provide several explanations as to how all Jews are tzaddikim. And the discussion in Section 3 provides further support, for it was explained there that prior to meriting Olam HaBa, all Jews will be cleansed, whitened, and purified of their sins, to the point that they will reach the status of [true] tzaddikim, and only then will they “inherit the land.” Thus, all those who have a portion in Olam HaBa will first attain the status of tzaddikim g’murim prior to rising in T’chiyas HaMeisim (as above in Tanya, a tzaddik gamur experiences a consciousness akin to Olam HaBa). This resolves the words of Rav Abahu with our conclusions above.

 (To be continued be”H)

(From a letter dated Monday, the 16^th of Tammuz 5703; Igros Kodesh Vol. 1, pg. 141 ff.)