Sin death and beyond

SIN, DEATH AND BEYOND: M.M.NINAN
effect of sin can be removed by repentance.
Hence, Adam is represented as a type of a penitent sinner. Thus, he is described in Vita Adæ
et Evæ, as well as by the rabbis of the second century ('Er. 18b; 'Ab. Zarah, 8a; Ab. R. N. i.;
Pirḳe R. El.), as undergoing a terrible ordeal while fasting, praying, and bathing in the river for
seven and forty days (seven weeks, Pirḳe R. El.), or twice seven weeks—the shortening of the
days after Tishri being taken by Adam as a sign of God's wrath, until after the winter solstice
the days again grew longer, when he brought a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Another view is that
when the sun rose the following morning he offered his thanksgiving, in which the angels
joined him, singing the Sabbath Psalm (Ps. xcii.). About Adam and the one-horned ox (the
Persian gaiomarth), see Kohut, in "Z. D. M. G." xxv. 78, n. 6.
On account of the Sabbath the sun retained its brightness for the day; but as darkness set in
Adam was seized with fear, thinking of his sin. Then the Lord taught him how to make fire by
striking stones together. Thenceforth the fire is greeted with a blessing at the close of each
Sabbath day (Pesiḳ. R. xxiii.; Pirḳe R. El. xx.; similarly, Pes. 54a).
When Adam heard the curse, "Thou shalt eat of the herbs of the earth," he staggered, saying:
"O Lord, must I and my ass eat out of the same manger?" Then the voice of God came
reassuringly: "With the sweat of thy brow shalt thou eat bread!" There is comfort in work. The
angels taught Adam the work of agriculture, all the trades, and also how to work in iron (Book
of Jubilees, iii. 12; Gen. R. xxiv.; Pes. 54a).
Adam in the Future World.
On the day Adam covered his naked body for the first time, he beheld in clothing a mark of
human dignity, and offered God a thanksgiving of incense (Book of Jubilees, iii. 22). The
garments made by God were not of skin, but of light (Gen. R. xx.), and robes of glory were
made of the serpent's skin (Targ. Yer. Gen. iii. 21).
Adam, "the first to enter Hades" (Sibylline Oracles, i. 81), was also the first to receive the
promise of resurrection (Gen. R. xxi. 7, after Ps. xvii. 15). According to the Testament of
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