BY REBECCA WALLACE KEENE

Ask a Christian how God punishes his people and they will tell you that Hell is hot and awaits all those who have not accepted Jesus. As Jews, of course, we know this is nonsense. Christian Hell results from a misunderstanding of the pit, in the book of Enoch, which God created for the immortal fallen angels and did not throw man into. What then is the worst punishment God hands out? Death? No. Death is a release and a chance to start again. The worst punishment, and the one I fear the most, is being forced to live this human existence outside of communion with God.  Surely, that is Hell. While I have heard some Jews argue that we are never distanced from God, only from the community with each other, I do not think this argument tracks Biblically and it certainly was not true in my own life.

Cain’s Hell

In Genesis, we see G-d beginning to punish mankind. How does he do this? He removes them from the garden where he communes with them personally. Later, Cain kills his brother Abel. G-d forces Cain even further out into the wilderness. Cain is forced to live even further from direct communion with G-d than his already exiled family.

This is the punishment of being forced to live separately and apart from G-d and his blessing. Cain immediately recognized this. He responded, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” Cain’s first fear was that he would be hidden from the presence of God and be forced to remain on this Earth. If there is a hell, surely this is it.

God’s Protection

It is important to note that God even though exiling Cain from his presence did not remove his protection. God assures Cain anyone who kills him will suffer God’s vengeance seven times over.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/reclaimingthetruth/2024/03/hell-not-what-you-think/