Rabbi Hanina ben Teradyon

The Romans seized Rabbi Hanina ben Teradyon, who was sitting and engaged in Torah study, convening public assemblies, with a Torah scroll resting in his lap. They brought him, wrapped him in the Torah scroll, surrounded him with bundles of vine branches, and set them ablaze. They brought pieces of wool, soaked them in water, and placed them on his heart so that his soul would not depart quickly.

His daughter said to him, “Father, is this the reward for Torah?” He replied, “If I were being burned alone, it would be difficult for me. But now that I am being burned with a Torah scroll with me, He who seeks the indignity of the Torah scroll will seek my indignity.” His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, what do you see?” He answered them, “I see the parchment burning, but the letters are soaring.” They said to him, “Open your mouth so that the fire may enter you, and you will die quickly, and not suffer further torments.”

He said to them, “It is better that He who gave me my soul should take it, rather than I myself.” The officer tasked with his burning said to him, “Rabbi, if I fan the flames and remove the wool sponges from your heart, will you bring me to the life of the World to Come?” Rabbi Hanina said to him, “Yes.” The officer said to him, “Swear to me!” He swore to him.

The officer immediately did so, and his soul departed swiftly. That same officer then jumped and fell into the fire. A Heavenly Voice (Bat Kol) emerged and declared: “Rabbi Hanina ben Teradyon and the officer are destined for the life of the World to Come.” ע"ז חי.