The Martyrdom of R. Ḥaninah ben Teradyon
When they captured R. Ḥaninah ben Teradyon, it was decreed that he should be burned together with his [Torah] scroll. They said to him, “It is decreed that you should be burned together with your [Torah] scroll.” He recited this verse: The Rock, His work is perfect (Deuteronomy 32:4).
They said to his wife, “It is decreed that your husband should be burned and that you should be killed.” She recited the verse: A God of faithfulness and without iniquity (Deuteronomy 32:4).
They said to his daughter, “It is decreed that your father should be burned, that your mother should be killed, and that you should do labor.” She recited the verse: Great in counsel, and mighty in work; whose eyes are open (Jeremiah 32:19). Rabbi said, “How great are these righteous people who mention these three verses about righteous judgment—an idea that is not found in all verses—during their hour of distress. They directed their attention and justified the judgment.”
A philosopher stood before the [Roman] prefect and said to him, “My master, do not be proud that you have burned the Torah, for it has returned to the place from which it came, to its Father’s house.” [The prefect] said to him, “Tomorrow, your fate will be the same as theirs!” [The philosopher] said to him, “I have been given good news, that tomorrow my portion will be with them for the world to come.”
Translated by Matthew Goldstone.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.
