The four Rabbi's who entered the Garden of Eden

By Robert Zucker

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These pages are from the new book on Astral Projection and dreaming techniques by Robert Zucker, "The Twilight of Consciousness." Download a free sample copy.

There is a famous Jewish legend (“aggadah”) in the Babylonian TALMUD about four rabbis during the Mishnaic period (1st century) who entered the Garden of Eden– the Orchard (“Pardes”).

The Orchard is a symbolic reference to the knowledge of the mystical Works of Creation, ma’aseh bereshit. In this Garden sits the Tree of Life, a proverbial symbol of the Universe and all of its knowledge. When Simeon ben Azzai, Simeon ben Zoma, Rabbi Elisha ben Abuyah (Acher), and Rabbi Akiva “entered” the Garden they each had a life-changing experience.

The story alludes to the perils of studying the mysteries of Creation. Zoma and Azzai were not actually certified rabbi’s, as they died young, but they did earn the honorary title. They were religious teachers, or tannas, and possibly a part of the inner mystical circle among Joshua ben Hananiah’s followers.

The fate of the some of them, however, was not so bright. Three of the rabbis did not return from the viewing the Garden of Esoteric Knowledge without some kind of harm. Azzai “looked” (at the Divine Presence) and died; Zoma “looked” and went insane, and Acher destroyed the Garden.

But, Rabbi Akiba had the wisdom to enter and leave without succumbing to the Garden’s temptations. When Ben Azzai “gazed” into the Garden and saw the Divine Glory of G-d, the Shekhinah, he died. The Scriptures are quoted in regards to Azzai’s fate: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Azzai was so zealous in his studies, he lost sight of the world around him.

An explanation of his early death may have occurred because of the belief that man cannot cast his human eyes upon the face of G-d and live.” Ben Zoma, also a tanna who lived in the first third of the 2nd century, had gazed into the Garden’s delights and he went insane.

The quote from the Proverbs in the Scriptures is used regarding Zoma’s fate: “Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee.” Zoma apparently indulged too much into the studies of the mysteries and suffered for his excessiveness.

According to one story, R. Hananiah was out walking and passed by his disciple, Ben Zoma, who did not notice Hananiah. Zoma later replied he was “lost in the thoughts concerning the account of Creation.” Hananiah later reportedly declared that Zoma “is outside” the allowable realm of contemplation on the subject– hence, he became mentally unstable.

R. Abuyah, a rabbi born in Jerusalem sometime before 70 CE, was said to have mutilated the plants in the Garden. His fate is summarized in Ecclesiastes: “Suffer not thy mouth to bring thy flesh into guilt.” He was accused of betraying his people and taking a heretical worldview, hence the nickname Acher (“Other One’). The Babylonian TALMUD said that Abuyah kept forbidden books hidden in his clothes.

Rabbi Akiva is the only one who entered and departed in peace. One clue to Rabbi Akiva’s survival was something he said to the others who entered into the Garden with him: “When you arrive at the “pure shaking” stones, do not say ‘water, water.’ For it is said: ‘He that speaketh falsehood shall not be established before mine eyes.’”

The overall lesson is that the study of the mystical teachings of the Kabbalah, found in the writings of the SEFER YETZIRAH, must be studied with caution. Rashi (1040-1105) says they attempted to ascend to Heaven by permutating the Divine Name through letter combinations.

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