SCHOLAR OF AFTERLIFE MYTHOLOGY

 Selections from Jewish Views of the Afterlife

The Death of Reb Mikhal of Zlotchov

In the last two years before his death, Rabbi Mikhal fell into a trance of ecstasy time after time.  On these occasions his face would glow and one could see that he clung to the higher life, rather than earthly existence.  His children were always careful to rouse him from his ecstasy at the right moment, as they feared his soul only had one small step to pass over from this world.  Once, after the third Sabbath meal, he went to the House of Study as usual, and sang songs of praise.  He returned home, entered his room unaccompanied, and began to pace the floor.  His daughter, who was passing his door, heard him repeat over and over:  "Willingly did Moses die!  Willingly did Moses die!"  She was greatly troubled and called one of her brothers.  When he entered he found his father lying on the floor on his back, and heard him whisper the last word of the confession, "One", with his last breath.  (Buber, Vol. 1, p. 156)