A Share in the World to Come

There is a tradition to study Pirkei Avot from Passover until Shavuot. Pirkei Avot contains the timeless wisdom of the sages, and inspiring messages for everyday living. In essence, Pirkei Avot is Judaism’s guidebook to success in life.

One of the famous passages of Pirkei Avot reads, “All Israel has a share in the World to Come.” Usually we understand this to mean, that everyone, no matter how far they have strayed, still retains a place in eternity. It’s a beautiful affirmation that we all get another chance.

However, the verse says that we “have” as in we “have it now”. What part of the World to Come do we have now?

Shabbat.

The Talmud teaches that on Shabbat we can enjoy 1/60th of the pleasure of the World to Come. Shabbat is in fact the only time that we can access any part of the World to Come.

So what might the sages be telling us?

“All Israel have a share in the World to Come… NOW.”

If you want to access that pleasure of the World to Come, then dive into Shabbat.

Shabbat Shalom!

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