ADAPTED FROM HIS AUDIO SHIUR ON EIN YAAKOV LESSON 126B – SANHEDRIN 92
The Vision of Yechezkel
Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai, Z”L, the author of the Zohar Hakadosh, writes about the greatness of the prophet Yechezkel. Yechezkel Hanavi was famous not only for bringing the dead back to life but also for his remarkable vision known as Ma’aseh Merkavah—the Vision of the Divine Throne. Yechezkel merited seeing this profoundly sacred and heavenly sight.
Of course, Yechezkel was in a trance-like state during this vision, as was common among the prophets. His ability to perceive something so sacred, elevated, and ethereal highlights his extraordinary spiritual stature.
Surpassing the Vision
Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai, one of the greatest rabbis mentioned in the Gemara, discussed this vision, examining which specific part of heaven it originated from. Remarkably, he stated that his own visions surpassed even those of Yechezkel, reaching far higher spiritual levels.
While we do not presume, chas v’shalom, to compare tzaddikim, Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai’s own words indicate that he attained a level of greatness seemingly surpassing even that of Yechezkel Hanavi. Thus, we can safely say that Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai could have easily performed the miracle of reviving the dead, and indeed, much more.
Miracles in Recent Times
To sharpen this point further, consider that Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai lived nearly 2,000 years ago. Let us look instead at the tzaddik ha’emes closest to our own time: Rebbe Nachman, who lived less than 200 years ago, during an era when miracles were seldom witnessed. People questioned Rebbe Nachman, asking why, if he was indeed a tzaddik emes, he couldn’t simply demonstrate his greatness by snapping his fingers and bringing the dead back to life. After all, what could be so difficult for a true tzaddik?
The answer provided was illuminating: bringing a dead body back to life is undeniably a miracle, and one not easily performed. Yet Rebbe Nachman accomplished miracles far greater, rendering the revival of a physical body relatively minor by comparison.
Rebbe Nachman explained that reviving a body is simpler because the body, inherently fragile, naturally dies. Restoring life to it, though miraculous, pales in comparison to reviving a soul—considered indestructible—that has died.
Spiritual Death and Revival
What exactly constitutes the death of a soul? A soul is considered dead when a person abandons their faith. Losing faith in Hashem, the Torah, and their religion signifies genuine spiritual death. Such a person walks among us physically alive, yet spiritually lifeless—no different from an animal that moves, eats, and breathes, yet lacks a true living soul. To revive a spiritually dead individual—someone who has experienced such a profound spiritual decline (yeridah)—by restoring faith and elevating their soul back to its original state, is the genuine miracle of techiyas hameisim (resurrection). This involves injecting renewed faith and spiritual vitality into a soul that has seemingly died.
This was precisely Rebbe Nachman’s mission. Rebbe Nachman dedicated his teachings to individuals who had lost their faith—especially those who had lost faith in themselves, believing they were too spiritually fallen to ever reconnect with Hashem. It was precisely these individuals whom Rebbe Nachman inspired, encouraged, and spiritually revived, guiding them back until they became genuine tzaddikim.
Resurrection and Redemption
This spiritual revival is the true techiyas hameisim and encapsulates the essence of Rebbe Nachman’s famous promise. Rebbe Nachman declared: “Any person who visits my grave—my tzion—and recites the Tikkun Haklali, I promise to save them from Gehinom and bring them to Gan Eden.” This promise means that in Olam Haba, death corresponds to Gehinom, while true life equates to Gan Eden. Rebbe Nachman assured that he would rescue the person’s soul from Gehinom and grant it eternal life in Gan Eden.
However, Rebbe Nachman’s promise goes far deeper than just the afterlife. Indeed, saving a soul from Gehinom and placing it in Gan Eden is something many tzaddikim can accomplish easily in the spiritual realms. Rebbe Nachman’s greater miracle involved reviving a soul while the person was still alive in this world. He promised that if someone genuinely accepted his teachings, he would spiritually revive their soul from the death of disbelief, granting them renewed faith and purity in this very life.
