THE SONG OF GEHINNOM
Gehinnom sings of how suffering, too, is a kindness – it cleanses the soul.
[Song 4] Gehinnom (Ch. 1)
גֵּיהִנֹּם אוֹמֵר. כִּי הִשְׂבִּיעַ נֶפֶשׁ שֹׁקֵקָה וְנֶפֶשׁ רְעֵבָה מִלֵּא טוֹב: (תהילים קז ט)
Gehinnom is saying: “For he has satisfied the longing soul, and has filled the hungry soul with good.”
Commentary
After the soul completes its mission in this world, it is hungry for its portion in the
World to Come. However, it must first be cleansed in Gehinnom, which is a
tremendous kindness, since the soul would otherwise be tainted and imperfect
forever. For this reason, Gehinnom sings “For He has satisfied a lustful soul”, –
Hashem satisfies Gehinnom’s desire for the wicked. “And a hungry soul He has
filled with goodness”. After the sullied souls are willingly cleansed in Gehinnom,
Hashem satiates them with their deserved goodness in Gan Eden, forever.
We should realize that any suffering experienced in this world is surely well-
deserved, decreed by the merciful and just God. This realization removes much of
the brunt of the suffering. Moreover, if we praise Hashem even for suffering, we
allow Gehinnom to join the orchestra of the universe.
LIVING WITH THE SONG
Gehinnom is not the most popular instrument in the orchestra of the universe. Nevertheless, it too plays an
indispensable and uniquely beautiful part in the song of existence. This song is heard even in this world at times
of suffering. At such a time, a person should realize that any suffering he experiences is surely well-deserve, decreed
by the merciful and just God. He should accept that it is ultimately for his own good, and that the cleansing
justifies the passing suffering. When one does so, much of the brunt of the suffering is removed. Moreover, when
one blesses Hashem in such a situation in the same way as he would in good times, he allows even Gehinnom to
join in the symphony of the universe.
Inspirational commentary By Shmuel Ben-Tzion Kraines author of
The Song of Existence.