Blessed Are You When You Come and When You Go: Understanding the Soul’s Mission and Return in Jewish Thought

“Blessed Are You When You Come In, and Blessed Are You When You Go Out” (Devarim 28:6; Devarim Rabbah 7:13)

“Blessed are you when you come in” — upon entering this world.
“And blessed are you when you go out” — upon leaving this world.

The Soul’s Journey in This World

Every human soul descends into this world on a mission. Its natural home, however, is in the World of Souls. The soul itself does not desire to remain here; it rejoices to return to its divine source as soon as possible, because life in this world is filled with tests and challenges. The soul fears it might not withstand them.

The length of a person’s life is determined precisely by the spiritual purpose for which the soul was sent. Once it has completed its task, it returns to its natural home. Sometimes this occurs at a young age — not as a tragedy, but as the soul’s peaceful return after fulfilling its mission.

From a Letter of Consolation by Rabbi Yonatan Eybeschutz

(To his sister-in-law upon the passing of her husband) 

“My dear sister and children, take care of your health — this is even more important than merely reciting Kaddish for your father, of blessed memory. Looking after your health and accepting everything from Hashem with love and trust is the greatest mitzvah, and it brings Him great joy.

A king who sends his servants to distant lands will not recall them if they still have work to do; that would be foolish. But if their task is complete, he immediately calls them home.

So too, we were all sent to this world to serve and fulfill the holy work of God. If Hashem still sees potential in someone to accomplish more here, He will not call them away. Why, then, should we mourn the one who was called home? Do we not know that the World to Come is infinitely better than this one?

Therefore, excessive mourning is unnecessary — the exchange of a temporary world for an eternal one is a good exchange! And if we weep simply because we miss the person — that is understandable, but it is the way of the nations, not of Israel, the people redeemed by God. For what are the years of life in this world? A fleeting moment — and afterward we are all reunited together in the Land of the Living.”

“HaMakom Yenachem Etchem” — “May the Omnipresent Comfort You”

We traditionally say to mourners: “HaMakom yenachem etchem” — “May the Omnipresent comfort you.” Literally, HaMakom (“the Place”) refers to God.

In a deeper sense, it may also mean: If the mourners could see the place where their loved one now resides — if they could receive letters or pictures from that heavenly world — they would be comforted.

Thus, “HaMakom yenachem etchem” means: May the very place where the soul now rests — its joy, serenity, and delight in the radiance of the Divine Presence, be what comforts you.

“Over the bodies of the righteous, God declares: ‘Peace shall come; they shall rest upon their beds.’ And regarding their souls He says:
‘May the soul of my master be bound in the bond of eternal life.’”
(Talmud, Shabbat 152b)