Socrates and Avraham

The Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi once said: when Socrates died and came to the heavenly tribunal he requested that he be given a seat next to Avraham, our forefather.

His claim was that just as Avraham had given his life in sanctifying G-d’s Name, so had he. He therefore requested a seat next to his.

The Heavenly Tribunal responded: “You cannot be compared to Avraham. For Avraham forfeited his life for no reason or reward, rather because of pure faith. However, you have merely traded one pleasure for another.”

(Reshimot Devarim, Pg. 101)

 

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