HEAVEN RAPTURE AND GOD’S JUSTICE. A STUDY OF THE IMAGINARY OF THE ASCENSION

Abstract

This article exposes the metaphor of mystical rapture /ascension as an expression of an epochal crisis that Jewish society suffered when returning from exile. This crisis is concurrent with a change of theological paradigm that not only results in a desacral-ization of the terrestrial temple, as M. Himmelfarb claims, but also creates a rupture or transformation in the way of understanding justice and the historical action of God. The metaphor in the Jewish and Christian texts analyzed demonstrates that it kept this relationship firmly attached to the central theme of divine justice for victims, which is repeatedly reformulated according to the experience of martyrdom and per-secution of apocalyptic and Christian groups.