Commentary for Avodah Zarah 35:12
אמר לו קלצטונירי רבי אם אני מרבה בשלהבת ונוטל ספוגין של צמר מעל לבך אתה מביאני לחיי העולם הבא אמר לו הן השבע לי נשבע לו מיד הרבה בשלהבת ונטל ספוגין של צמר מעל לבו יצאה נשמתו במהרה אף הוא קפץ ונפל לתוך האור
The Executioner then said to him, “Rabbi, if I increase the flame and take away the tufts of wool from over your heart, will you bring me to life in the world to come?”
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
The Executioner now becomes a martyr himself, thereby acquiring eternal life through one act. Note that the act is twofold—first of all, he eases R. Hanina’s death. This seems to be sanctioned. R. Hanina is not allowed to hasten his own death, but he may allow the executioner to do so. And then he martyrs himself as well.
Rabbi’s commentary here is the same as it was in the previous story.
Rabbi’s commentary here is the same as it was in the previous story.
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