353. We have learned that before these friends came out from that chamber, Rabbi Yosi ben Rabbi Ya'akov, Rabbi Chizkiyah and Rabbi Yesa died. The friends saw that holy angels carried them in that veil. Rabbi Shimon said something and THE FRIENDS calmed down. He cried out and said: Perhaps, heaven forbid, a writ was decreed for us to be punished, since it was revealed through us what has not been revealed since the day Moses stood on Mount Sinai, as it is written: "And he was there with Hashem forty days and forty nights... " (Shemot 34:28). Why am I here if this is the reason for their punishment?
354. He heard a voice say: Rabbi Shimon, you deserve praise. Praised is your lot and the lot of the friends that are with you, since it was revealed to you what has not been revealed to all the legions above. However, come and see that it is written: "He shall lay its foundation with his firstborn, and with his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it" (Yehoshua 6:26). Certainly, the souls OF THE FRIENDS ever devoted with great, strong will and valor at the time they were taken BY THE ANGELS. Praised is their lot that, through perfection, they passed away.
355. We have learned that while these matters were revealed, higher and lower beings trembled and a sound was roused AND DECLARED in 250 worlds, that ancient matters were revealed below. While they were still soothing their souls with these matters, their soul left with a kiss and was connected in that veil, and the uppermost angels took them and raised them above.
356. Rabbi Shimon said: How happy is the lot of these three, and praised is our lot in the World to Come for this. A second voice sounded and said, "But you that did cleave to Hashem your Elohim are alive every one of you this day" (Devarim 4:4). They got up and left. Everywhere they looked, fragrances were missing. Rabbi Shimon said: It seems from this that the world is being blessed because of us. All their faces were shining bright and people could not look at them.
357. We have learned that ten entered THE GATHERING and seven left it. Rabbi Shimon was rejoicing but Rabbi Aba was sad. One day, Rabbi Shimon was sitting with Rabbi Aba. Rabbi Shimon said something. They saw the three FRIENDS, whom upper angels were bringing and showing them the treasures and chambers above for their honor. They were introducing them into the mountains of pure balsam. Rabbi Aba's mind was calm and at peace.
358. We have learned that from that day on, the friends did not leave the residence of Rabbi Shimon. When Rabbi Shimon was revealing secrets, nobody was present except for them. Rabbi Shimon referred to them as 'We are the seven eyes of Hashem' as it is written: "Those seven...the eyes of Hashem" (Zechariah 4:10), which is applicable to us. Rabbi Aba said: We are six candles illuminating from the seventh, WHICH IS THE SECRET OF BINAH. You are the seventh of all, because the six cannot endure, WHICH ARE CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET, NETZACH, HOD AND YESOD, save from the seventh, WHICH IS BINAH, since everything is dependent on the seventh. Rabbi Yehuda used to refer to him as Shabbat, from which all six days get their blessing, as it is written: "Shabbat to Hashem" (Shemot 20:10) or holy to Hashem. Just as Shabbat is holy to Hashem, so is Rabbi Shimon holy Shabbat to Hashem.