Hayom Yom 26 Sivan - The blessing in “going down alive to the grave"

וְיָרְדוּ חַיִּים שְׁאוֹלָה[With regard to the company of Korach, it is written:] “They will go down alive to the grave.”שֶׁגַּם בִּשְׁאוֹל חוֹשְׁבִים שֶׁהֵם חַיִּיםThat is, even when in the grave they would think that they were alive.הַבְּרָכָה בְּ–וְיָרְדוּ חַיִּים שְׁאוֹלָהThere is a blessing in “going down alive to the grave.”כְּמוֹ בְּנֵי קֹרַח לֹא מֵתוּAs [our Sages explain on the similar statement that] “the sons of Korach did not die,” מָקוֹם נִתְבַּצֵּר לָהֶם וְעָשׂוּ תְּשׁוּבָה“a place was fortified for them [in Gehinnom]” and they repented, כִּי תְּשׁוּבָה מוֹעֶלֶת רַק כָּל עוֹד שֶׁהוּא חַיbecause repentance is effective only as long as one is alive. [Similarly, regarding those who descended alive into the grave:]וְזוֹהִי הַבְּרָכָהThe blessing wasשֶׁגַּם בִּשְׁאוֹל יִהְיוּ חַיִּים וְיּוּכְלוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת תְּשׁוּבָהthat even in the grave, they would be alive and able to repent.Text and Translation courtesy of Sichos in EnglishFor questions and follow-up: cablejew@gmail.com