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The Jewish version of hell, Gehinnom, is somewhat vague. One body of opinion talks of fire which is sixty times hotter than normal fire. Another view suggests that it’s more mental anguish than physical torture. But one thing is accepted by most sources: whatever happens in hell, it stops for the Jewish Sabbath.

Rest for the Wicked

On Friday evening
in Jewish Hell,
Satan lowers the inferno
to just two candles

and serves dinner
to the accursed sinners.

On Saturday morning
in Jewish Hell,
the wicked pray
for a ticket to heaven,
then after Kiddush
they stroll down the road
and chat with demons
having a smoke
outside the gates
of Catholic Hell,
where operations continue
twenty-four seven,
even on Sundays.

On Saturday afternoon
in Jewish Hell,
it’s the custom for Jews
to take a snooze.
Satan too.

On Saturday evening
in Jewish Hell,
they finish the challah.
Satan makes Havdalah,
then rings the bell.
It’s the start of another
working week
in Jewish Hell.