תלמוד תורה, מיסטיקה ואסכטולוגיה: על בית המדרש של הקב"ה במדרש המאוחר

This paper deals with the unique vision of the World to Come found in several later midrashim (Pirqe Mashiaḥ, Otiyyot de-Rabbi Akiva, Seder Eliyahu, etc.). They depict the World to Come as a gigantic bet midrash, in which God sits and teaches those who have merited being in his presence. The paper reveals the values latent in these texts, and the linkage made between Torah study and mystical and eschatological elements. The depiction of 'God's study hall' paints an idealized picture of Torah study that includes all members of society. Since real life circumstances prevent certain people from participating in the bet midrash experience (women, slaves, etc.), their entrance into the hall of study is delayed until the World to Come. Alongside this inclusive approach, these midrashim present a mystical-experiential element. In one, God is described as 'pouring out his spirit' on those who are seated in his bet midrash (Seder Eliyahu Rabba, sec. 4, Ish-Shalom edition, p. 19), and in others, God himself teaches those assembled and 'expounds to them the meanings of a new Torah' (Bet ha-Midrash 3, p. 27). The last section of the paper deals with texts that tend to prefigure and actualize the eschatological vision. These sources dare to go a step further, claiming that it is possible for all to enter 'God's study hall' not only at the End of Days, but also in the present.