We have been talking about why Olam Habah is not mentioned specifically in the Torah, and we are up to the fourth reason: The Hovot HaLevavot explains that G-d doesn’t make promises on things that are contingent on conditions. G-d will say, “If you do this, you get that,” but He doesn’t say, “If you do this, and then do that, you’ll get this.” He doesn’t do that.
The Hovot HaLevavot is telling us that Olam Habah isn’t automatic. A person can do all the good deeds, and still not be fit for Olam Habah, because there are other factors that are necessary.
The first factor the Hovot HaLevavot mentions is,
שיורה בני האדם עבודת הבורא יתעלה
You have to guide people to serve G-d
וינהיגם לעשות הטוב
and direct them to do good.
When you have both
צדקתו and הצדקתו
If you’re righteous AND you make others righteous,
Then
יהיה ראוי לגמול העולם הבא אצל הבורא.
You’re fit to get Olam Habah.
This is a tremendous Hiddush.
A person could be missing a key factor all his life! The key factor is that it’s not just about you! It’s wonderful that you pray, and say Tikun Hatzot, and that you even roll around in the snow! But if you aren’t concerned with other people’s ruchniut (spirituality) something big is lacking- and it’s severe! We can’t be guaranteed Olam Habah based on our service alone. That’s a major eye opener!
How does this work?
God is a מיטיב (Metiv) He does good. He created the world only to do good. The whole Olam Habah is about connecting to G-d. Meaning, we have to be G-dly. If you’re serving Hashem but are not G-d-like, you won’t get there. Being G-dly means you have to care about other people.
This doesn’t mean you have to stand on a street corner and hand out donuts. But you have to know that if there are people in your life that aren’t aware or fully observant, it’s your job to somehow get them involved. You don’t have to become a missionary, but you can forward a link to class, share a Dvar Torah, or drop off a book. We recently discussed a story about how a gift of Rabbi Ashear’s Living Emunah book really influenced a person. So if you have a grab-bag gift to buy, why not give a set of Living Emunah books?
We have to have this outlook. We have to recognize that this world is overflowing with G-d’s kindness. Therefore, it’ll be hard for us to get anywhere on our own merit (we will discuss this further tomorrow).
There’s a beautiful mashal that applies to this, that we’ve told before at Yad Yosef, on Simchat Torah.
A man once checked into an expensive hotel in a foreign country, and gave them his credit card. After a week-long stay, his credit card was declined. As this was the kind of place where they’d jail him for such an offense, he made a deal with the owner. He explained to the owner that putting him in jail would not serve any benefit. On the other hand, he was a great dancer, so he offered to dance up a storm outside the hotel, to attract customers and pay off his debt. The owner agreed.
The Nimshal is that we have the ability to attract people and bring them closer. Again, this doesn’t mean we have to be missionaries. It can just be by living our everyday lives. Just by observing how a woman acts with her children, someone might notice and say, “Wow! Look how she’s so patient and soft- spoken. She’s been a better mother ever since she started going to that class.”
You can be a role model to inspire the people around you.
This is an integral aspect of our Havruta night, which was inspired by Shaare Zion and implemented in many other shuls.
You simply pick up the phone and cold-call someone, asking him to come and learn with you. Just invite him to learn with you for an hour. By doing so, you are spreading the faith, and Hashem sees that you aren’t just out for yourself.
This concept is so powerful that the Seforno says a scary thing, in Parashat Toldot regarding Yitzhak’s blessing.
In one place it says, Hashem said He’d bless Yitzhak עקב אברהם because of Abraham. Then a second time it says, בעבור אברהם עבדי , again because of Avraham. Why is Yitzhak’s beracha due to Abraham’s merit and not his own?
We know the Avot each had a different approach. Avraham’s was hessed. He went out, built altars and spread the word. Yitzhak’s approach was Gevurah (working on himself). For the first few years of his life, Yitzhak was not out spreading Torah. Therefore, the blessing was in Avraham’s merit. It’s hard to say this, but that’s what the Seforno says. Later on, Yitzhak changed and started spreading the word.
The lesson for us is that we have to keep our minds open. How can we spread Torah, and religion, and how can we do so in a sweet and nice way?
Have a great day.