Faith
The Gate of Gan Eden
Question
Hello, honored Rabbi Daniel Bels shlita.
We heard about a place found in the Cave of the Patriarchs that is called "the Gate of Gan Eden." The place is locked and closed, and there is no entry to it, but there are stories about people who entered there and saw the spirits of righteous people, etc. Is the place really a gate to Gan Eden, and are the stories that happened there true or inventions?
Thank you in advance.
Answer
B"H Shalom and blessings,
We do not truly have access to the graves of the Patriarchs buried in the Cave of the Patriarchs, for their graves are located in caves deeper than the surface. In the holy Zohar it is stated, "Rabbi Kisma says, the Cave of the Patriarchs is near the gate of Gan Eden." Of course, such matters may be explained as metaphors for the sanctity of the Patriarchs and their spiritual root, but either way, there is no doubt that the Cave of the Patriarchs is a most special place, and it has great spiritual merit by virtue of the Patriarchs who are buried there. Regarding the reliability of the stories, I would not dismiss spiritual experiences told about such an important place, which is certainly capable of that. But if these are not well-known and widely circulated stories of righteous people, I would not rush to believe them completely.
With blessings, Daniel Bels
