145. He said to him: I come to you to ask you three things. The first is that when you say words of the Torah, and you shall say the things that I said, say them in my name so as to mention my name. Also, that you shall teach my son, Joseph, the Torah and that you shall go to my grave all the seven days OF MOURNING and pray for me.
146. He said to him: How do you know YOU ARE GOING TO DIE? Rabbi Yitzchak said to him: My soul departs from me every night, but it does not enlighten me with dreams as before. Moreover, when I pray and reach the part of 'who hears prayer,' I look at my shadow upon the wall but do not see it. I think I SHALL DIE since the shadow is gone from me and cannot be seen. For a herald comes forth and proclaims, as it is written, "Surely every man walks in a shadow" (Tehilim 39:7). As long as his shadow has not gone from him, "every man walks" and his spirit within him. Once a man's shadow is no longer seen, he passes away from this world.
147. RABBI YEHUDA said to him: It is also derived from the verse, "Because our days upon earth are a shadow" (Iyov 8:9). RABBI YEHUDA said to him, I shall carry out your requests. But I also ask that you shall reserve a place for me by you in the other world, as I was by your side in this world. Rabbi Yitzchak wept and said, Please do not go away from me all these days.
148. They went to Rabbi Shimon and found him occupied with the Torah. Rabbi Shimon lifted up his eyes and saw the Angel of Death running and dancing before Rabbi Yitzchak. Rabbi Shimon stood up, held Rabbi Yitzchak by the hand and said, I decree that whoever is wont to come to me shall enter, and he who is not wont shall not come. Rabbi Yitzchak and Rabbi Yehuda came in. And he thus kept the Angel of Death remaining outside, UNABLE TO COME IN.
149. Rabbi Shimon looked and saw that his time had not yet come TO DIE, until the eighth hour of the day. Rabbi Shimon placed him before him and studied the Torah with him. Rabbi Shimon said to his son Rabbi Elazar, Sit at the door, and whoever you see do not speak with him; if he shall want to enter, swear he may not enter.
150. Rabbi Shimon said to Rabbi Yitzchak, Have you seen your father's image today, or have you not? For we have learned that when a man departs from the world, his father and relatives are there with him, and he sees and recognizes them. And all those with whom he will dwell in the other world in the same grade, all gather to be with him, and accompany his soul to its dwelling place. RABBI YITZCHAK said, Until now I have not seen THE IMAGE OF MY FATHER.
151. Rabbi Shimon stood up and said, Master of the Universe, we have a certain Rabbi Yitzchak with us, one of the seven eyes here; MEANING, ONE OF THE SEVEN STUDENTS WHO REMAINED ALIVE WHEN THEY WENT OUT OF THE HOLY ASSEMBLY. Behold, I hold him, give Him to me! A voice resounded saying, the throne of His Master, NAMELY THE NUKVA, has approached UNION through the wings of Rabbi Shimon. Behold, Rabbi Yitzchak is yours, and you shall come with him when you shall sit in your throne AT THE TIME RABBI SHIMON WILL PART FROM THE WORLD. Rabbi Shimon said, Certainly, I SHALL DO SO AND BRING HIM WITH ME WHEN I WILL DEPART FROM THE WORLD.
152. While he was speaking, Rabbi Elazar saw the Angel of Death departing. He said, No sentence stands at the place of Rabbi Shimon. Rabbi Shimon said to his son Rabbi Elazar, Come here and hold Rabbi Yitzchak, for I see he is afraid. Rabbi Elazar entered and held him, and Rabbi Shimon turned to study the Torah.
153. Rabbi Yitzchak slept and saw his father. HIS FATHER said to him: Son, happy is your portion in this world and in the World to Come, for you sit among the leaves of the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. A great and strong tree in both worlds is Rabbi Shimon, who holds you in his boughs. Happy is your portion, my son.