Soncino translation of part of tractate Shabbat page 118
R. Simeon b. Pazzi said in the name of R. Joshua b. Levi in Bar Kappara's name: He who observes
[the practice of] three meals on the Sabbath is saved from three evils: the travails of the Messiah,12
the retribution of Gehinnom,13 and the wars of Gog and Magog.14 ‘The travails of the Messiah’:
‘day’ is written here;15 whilst there it is written, Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the
great and terrible day of the Lord comes.16 The retribution of Gehinnom’: ‘day’ is written here;
whilst there it is written, That day is a day of wrath.17 ‘The wars of Gog and Magog’: ‘day’ is written
here; whilst there it is written, in that day when Gog shall come.18
Footnotes
(12) The advent of the Messiah was pictured as being preceded by years of great distress.
(13) Purgatory.
(14) Also a time of intense suffering.
(15) V. supra 117b bottom.
(16) Mal. III, 2. (E.V. IV, 5). This is understood to refer to the advent of the Messiah.
(17) Zeph. I, 15.
(18) Ezek. XXXVIII, 18. Since ‘day’ is mentioned three times in connection with the Sabbath meals (supra 117b), their
observance will save one from the bitter experiences of these three ‘days’.