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category:  Chassidut

King Mannaseh

The Rav Name: Rabbis of the Da’at Institute
  • Question

BS”D

Hello, I am just wondering if you can shed some light on King Manasseh’s future. The consensus of the Rabbis in the Talmud seems to say that he will not have a share in Olam HaBa despite his teshuva. But I remember reading a Chassidic story of how he reincarnated and died al Kiddush HaShem as a further tikkun for his sins in his previous life. I wonder if, assuming that story is totally true, would now admit him into Olam HaBa?

Thank you,
Jonathan

  • Answer
Shalom and thank you for your question!
King Mannaseh did indeed sin greatly, but the book of Chronicles relates that towards the end of his life, he became ill and repented,and G-d accepted his repentance.

Commentaries differ as to exactly when he repented, and whether or not it was only due to his suffering. In any case, he did repent.

The Talmud in Tractate Sanhedrin writes that in order to receive Mannasseh’s repentance, a special area was sectioned off for him in Heaven, to avoid angels that might protest his entry.

Regarding the statement from the book of Chronicles mentioned above about G-d accepting Mannaseh’s repentance, it is explained as G-d manoevering so to speak a place for him under His throne of glory. This is referred to also in the book of the Zohar, a Kabbalistic work.


Chassidic thought teaches that the lesson we learn from King Mannasseh’s story is that in every situation it is possible to repent, meaning, to come closer to G-d, and G-d accepts sincere repentance. Even in a situation where it seems that there’s no way to repent, G-d makes a special opening.


However, a person should try to repent beforehand, and not have to resort to such options…

All the best!

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