Life in the World To Come: D’var Torah for Parshat Ki Tavo
There are numerous references in the Torah from which we can learn that there is ongoing life for the soul in the world to come – though the Torah never actually spells out the details of that life in its finest form – that’s because our Torah is a guide to life here on Earth.
One such reference comes at the commencement of Parshat Ki Tavo:
“וְהָיָה כִּי־תָבוֹא אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ נַחֲלָה”
“And it shall come to pass when you enter into the land which the Lord your God gives you for an everlasting portion.”
The context here is that the Israelites are about to enter into the land of Israel, and Hashem says “this will be an everlasting portion for you.” Israel will forever belong to the Jewish people.
The Or haChaim haKadosh understands the very same words in a parallel form:
“ וְהָיָה כִּי־תָבוֹא אֶל־הָאָרֶץ”
“And it shall come to pass when you enter into the land”
This is of reference to the soul entering into הָאָרֶץ, which is life in the world to come. And what will transpire there? God will give you “נַחֲלָה” “an everlasting portion”. The soul will continue to exist forever.
And then the parsha of Ki Tavo carries on with details of the bringing of “בִּכּוּרִים” that the farmers would bring to the temple, to present products that they had produced.
Similarly, says the Or haChaim haKadosh, once a person sadly has passed away and arrives in Heaven, they will present before Hashem their produce – which are all the merits of their life; all their kind and good deeds.
The Or haChaim haKadosh goes on to tell us that the term “נַחֲלָה” “everlasting portion” actually also refers to our legacy here in this world. Therefore, not only do our souls continue to live on in the world to come, but the impact of our lives continues to be felt throughout all time.
Good people leave behind an outstanding legacy through others, and future generations benefit from the example that has been set. In the book of Devarim, Hashem charges us with the words:
“וּבָחַרְתָּ בַּחַיִּים”
“Choose life.”
And indeed, in that very spirit, we should choose a meritorious way of life to be outstanding human beings through which we will have חַיִּים, please God; eternal life of the soul in the world to come, and a glorious legacy that we will leave behind here on earth.
Shabbat Shalom.
