Aggada -- Translations into English; Bible. Old Testament -- Legends; Jewish legends; Midrash -- Translations into English
This terrible death did not, however, suffice to atone for the sins of
Korah and his company, for their punishment continues in hell. They are
tortured in hell, and at the end of thirty days, hell again casts them
up near to the surface of the earth, on the spot where they had been
swallowed. Whosoever on that day puts his ear to the ground upon that
spot hears the cry. "Moses is truth, and his Torah is truth, but we are
liars." Not until after the Resurrection will their punishment cease,
for even in spite of their grave sin they were not given over to
eternal damnation.
For a time Korah and his company believed that they should never know
relief from these tortures of hell, but Hannah's words encouraged them
not to despair. In reference to them she announced the prophecy, "The
Lord bringeth low, to Sheol, and lifteth up." At first they had no real
faith in this prophecy, but when God destroyed the Temple, and sank its
portals deep into the earth until they reached hell, Korah and his
company clung to the portals, saying: "If these portals return again
upward, then through them shall we also return upward." God hereupon
appointed them as keepers of these portals over which they will have to
stand guard until they return to the upper world. [586]
ON AND THE THREE SONS OF KORAH SAVED
God punished discord severely, for although the decree of Heaven does
not otherwise punish any one below twenty years of age, at Korah's
rebellion the earth swallowed alive even children that were only a day
old - men, women, and children, all together. [587] Out of all the
company of Korah and their families only four persons escaped ruin, to
wit: On, the son of Peleth, and Korah's three sons. As it was Korah's
wife who through her inciting words plunged her husband into
destruction, so to his wife does On owe his salvation. Truly to these
two women applies the proverb: "Every wise woman buildeth her house:
but the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands." On, whose
abilities had won him distinction far beyond that of his father, had
originally joined Korah's rebellion. When he arrived home and spoke of
it to his wife, she said to him: "What benefit shalt thou reap from it?
Either Moses remains master and thou art his disciple, or Korah becomes
master and thou art his disciple." On saw the truth of this argument,
but declared that he felt it incumbent upon himself to adhere to Korah
because he had given him his oath, which he could not now take back.
His wife quieted him, however, entreating him to stay at home. To be
quite sure of him, however, she gave him wine to drink, whereupon he
fell into a deep sleep of intoxication. His wife now carried out her
work of salvation, saying to herself: "All the congregation are holy,
and being such, they will approach no woman whose hair is uncovered."
She now showed herself at the door of the tent with streaming hair, and
whenever one out of the company of Korah, about to go to On, saw the
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