The Value of Life and the Fear of Death: Jewish Wisdom on Living Fully

The fear human beings feel about death, is not of death itself, but of losing life. This is a lesson we learn from the conduct of Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses). Moshe knew that he was going to a world of eternal goodness. Yet when God said to him (Devarim 31:14), “Behold, your days are drawing near to die,” the Torah tells us that Moshe pleaded: “And I implored the Lord at that time” (Devarim 3:23). He prayed with great intensity, pouring out 515 prayers — the numerical value of va’etchanan (“I implored”), tearing open the heavens and shaking the worlds, begging God to let him live longer.

Why did Moshe pray with such passion? In his greatness, he truly understood the infinite value of life in this world. When an ordinary person hears he is going to die, he might try to act “brave,” but he doesn’t grasp what he is about to lose.

The Gaon of Vilna’s Tears

The Vilna Gaon passed away during the festival of Sukkot. It is told that when he was brought the lulav and etrog for the last time, as he lay on his sickbed, he burst into tears: “This is the last time, the last time I will merit to bless over the lulav and etrog.”

His disciple, Rabbi David Luria (the Radal) shared: “I heard that he clutched his tzitzit and wept, saying: How difficult it is to part from this world of action, where with a single simple mitzvah of tzitzit, a person can merit to behold the Divine Presence. Where else can one find this, even if he gave all his strength in the world of souls?”

The Gaon wept because his entire life was devoted to serving God and performing mitzvot. Moshe prayed so fervently, not because he feared death itself, but because he longed to continue living in order to serve God through more mitzvot.

Rabbi Aharon Kotler’s Final Prayer

It is told that when Rabbi Aharon Kotler lay on his deathbed, he too wept and prayed: “Master of the universe, let me live! I can still accomplish so much in this world!” Those who understand the opportunity of life realize that death is a great tragedy. As the prophet said: “Its end will be like a bitter day” (Amos 8:10). Death is bitter not because one can no longer eat dinner or earn money, but because it means the loss of the most precious gift — life and the chance to do good.

We are taught that once a person departs this world and beholds the radiance of the Divine Presence, he will be filled with eternal bliss: “I will be satisfied, when I awake, with the vision of Your likeness” (Tehillim 17:15). In that moment, the joy of the World to Come will sweep away all the struggles of this world like a passing dream. As the sages taught: “One hour of spiritual bliss in the World to Come is greater than all the life of this world” (Pirkei Avot 4:17).

While we are alive, we must remember the first part of that same teaching: “One hour of repentance and good deeds in this world is better than all the life of the World to Come.” This world is the place of action, and therefore every moment of life here is priceless.

A Proper Fear of Death

Fear of death should not be a fear that paralyzes life, but that fills life with joy.

The proper fear of death should deepen your appreciation for life, making every moment feel more precious. Each small deed and each opportunity, is a chance to achieve eternal happiness. That awareness is what makes a person not want to part with the gift of life.

Never Truly Bored

Every moment should be filled with something real. A person who claims to be bored does not truly understand the value of life.

You can travel anywhere in your mind. You can connect to God. Open a Chumash or a Talmud. Think about the Exodus from Egypt, the manna in the desert, the splitting of the Red Sea, the righteous people of every generation. There are endless, wondrous things to think about and achieve.

The most fascinating treasures of existence are waiting for anyone who appreciates the gift of being alive.