SCHOLAR OF AFTERLIFE MYTHOLOGY

 Selections from Jewish Views of the Afterlife

DEATHBED VISIONS

Hasidic literature abounds with stories describing the deathbed experiences of many Hasidic Rebbes [Masters].  These stories are often very detailed and show how many Rebbes made the transition from physical plane life with a sense of equanimity and calm.

There were some Rebbes able to describe the visions they witnessed as death approached.  In the hour before he died, Rabbi Shmelke of Sasov saw standing beside him his deceased father Rabbi Moshe Leib and his great teacher, Rabbi Mikhal of Zlotchov. (Martin Buber, Legends of the Hasidim , Vol. 2, p. 95).  Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, shortly before his death, turned to his grandson and asked, "Do you see anything?"  The boy looked at him in astonishment.  Then the Rebbe said:  "All I can see is the divine nothingness which gives life to the world." (Buber, Vol. 1, p. 271).