Commentary for Avodah Zarah 35:11
אמרו לו תלמידיו רבי מה אתה רואה אמר להן גליון נשרפין ואותיות פורחות אף אתה פתח פיך ותכנס בך האש אמר להן מוטב שיטלנה מי שנתנה ואל יחבל הוא בעצמו
His disciples called out, “Rabbi, what do you see?” He answered them, “The parchments are being burned but the letters are flying away.” “Open your mouth so that the fire can enter you.” He replied, “It is better that the one who gave me [my soul] take it away, but no one should injure oneself.”
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
Hanina experiences a mystical vision while dying. Note that his students assume that he will see something that they cannot see. This is what is expected when one acts as a martyr. He then refuses to injure himself, insisting that only God can take his soul.
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