The Four Who Entered Pardes

The sages taught: Four entered the orchard [pardes], and they are as follows: Ben Azzai; and ben Zoma; Aḥer, [the “other,” a name for Elisha ben Abuya]; and R. Akiva. R. Akiva, [the senior among them,] said to them, “When, [upon your arrival in the upper worlds,] you reach pure marble stones, do not say, ‘Water, water,’ [although they appear to be water,] because it is stated: He who speaks falsehood shall not be established before My eyes (Psalm 101:7).”

Ben Azzai glimpsed [at the Divine Presence] and died. And with regard to him the verse states: Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His pious ones (Psalm 116:15). Ben Zoma glimpsed [the Divine Presence] and was harmed, [i.e., he lost his mind]. And with regard to him the verse states: Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you become full from it and vomit it (Proverbs 25:16). Aḥer chopped down the shoots [of saplings. In other words, he became a heretic]. R. Akiva came out safely.