[Avodah] mei marom

[Arie Folger]

RZS wrote:
> Suppose he hadn't, and had somehow managed not to be
> executed for his "crime", and had lived a long life of wine,
> women, song, and killing Jews.  When he died and showed up at
> BD shel Maalah, clutching his "Get Out of Hell Free" card, what
> choice would they have had but to honour it?  Could they leave
> RChbT forsworn?

The Ramban writes regarding the contradiction between jodaua tejda ki
gejr jihjeh saracho be-eretz lau lohem ... arab' mejaus schono and
umauschaw benej jissroel ascher joschwu be-eretz mitzrajim arba'
mejaus uschlauschim schono (sorry for translit scheme; I get a kick
out of it) that originially, the decree was for Avraham's descendents
to be "ina a land that is not theirs" for 400 years, which would have
meant that galut mitzrayim would have lasted 210 years. However, since
the benei yisrael were not worthy, the redemption was delayed by 30
years.

While the Ramban's answer is surprising to many, it is so simply
because we all know the standard interpretation that is also supported
by the haggadah shel pessa'h, that they were redeemed the moment the
400 years were up. However, I haven't seen anyone dispute the Ramban's
idea that sin can change previous assurances, especially to
individuals.

So, if the Roman would have continued living "a long life of wine,
women, song, and killing Jews," once "he died and showed up at BD shel
Maalah, clutching his `Get Out of Hell Free´ card," BD shel ma'ala
would answer "expired through your subsequent grave sins."

KNLAD.

All the above of course does not directly touch upon the very
instructive discussion between RSZ and RMB with the additional
contributions of RET and REMT. Yasher koa'h (or jascher kauach),
-- 
Arie Folger,
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