Even the Bodies of Tzaddikim Return to Dust Before the Resurrection of the Dead

Presented by Boruch Merkur

There were once some diggers who were digging on Rav Nachman’s property. [They unwittingly came upon a corpse, that of Rav Achai bar Yoshiya, a sage who had died generations earlier. Having been disturbed in the grave, the body of] Rav Achai bar Yoshiya snorted at them. Frightened] those who had been digging returned and told Rav Nachman: A [dead] man snorted at us! Rav Nachman approached the gravesite and asked the corpse: Who are you?

The deceased replied to Rav Nachman: I am Achai bar Yoshiya.

Rav Nachman asked: [How is it that your body has not decomposed?] Indeed, Rav Mari has said: [Even the bodies of] tzaddikim are destined to become dust [in the grave].

Rav Achai bar Yoshiya responded: Who is Rav Mari? I do not know him [and therefore, I pay no heed to his teachings].

Rav Nachman answered: But Rav Mari quotes a verse [in support of his position]. Indeed, it is written in Scripture, “And the dust shall return to the earth as it was.” [The natural process of decomposition is intended to turn the corpse into dust in the grave. How is it that your body has not done so?]

Rav Achai bar Yoshiya replied: He who has taught you Koheles evidently did not teach you Mishlei. For [you apparently are unaware of] the verse [that] states, “The rotting of bones is [caused by] envy” (Mishlei 14:30) – implying that the bones of anyone who has envy in his heart will rot, whereas the bones of anyone who does not have envy in his heart will not rot. [Rav Achai bar Yoshiya was claiming that since he had not been guilty of jealousy throughout his life, his body remains preserved, free of the mortal fate of bodily decomposition.]

Rav Nachman touched the corpse and determined that it was indeed real [and not an illusion]. He told the corpse: Let the master arise and come to my house.

Rav Achai bar Yoshiya replied: Now you have demonstrated that you [are not merely ignorant of Mishlei but also] you are not well-versed in Navi, where it is written, “You will recognize that I am G-d when I open your graves”** [indicating that it is only G-d Who may bring forth the dead; unless He grants permission, the dead may not do so on their own].

[Going back to the question of how Rav Achai avoided decomposition] Rav Nachman said to him: Is it not written, “For you are dust and to dust shall you return” (B’Reishis 3:19) [suggesting that everyone must return to dust, even those who did not succumb to jealousy].

Rav Achai responded to Rav Nachman: [With respect to tzaddikim] that verse speaks about [what will take place in the Messianic Era] a moment before the Resurrection of the Dead*** [but until then, the bodies of tzaddikim will remain preserved in their graves].

(Maseches Shabbos 152b)

NOTES:

* I.e., the bodies of tzaddikim will eventually rot and become dust, just like the bodies of other persons. (See Rashi ––Note 18 of the Artscroll Schottenstein Edition)

**Yechezkel 37:13. I.e., G-d will bring forth the dead during the Messianic Era; until then, we are not granted permission to arise. (Rashi ––Note 26 of the Artscroll Schottenstein Edition)

***I.e., the bodies of the righteous will not decompose until just before the Resurrection; at that moment, they will return to dust so that their bodies may be resurrected like all others. (Iyun Yaakov, words beginning with “Rav Mari said to him”; cf. Maharal ––Note 29 of the Artscroll Schottenstein Edition)