Life Is Like a Banquet: Why Jewish Wisdom Teaches Us to Seize Every Moment

The Talmud (Eruvin 54a, with Rashi) records that Shmuel once said to Rav Yehuda: “Seize and eat, seize and drink, for the world we are leaving is like a banquet — today it is here, and tomorrow it is gone.”

Imagine being invited to a lavish event. Waiters stand ready to serve, trays overflow with food and drink, and the guest may eat to his heart’s content. But the next day, if he returns to the hall asking for more, he will find only darkness and emptiness — the feast is over.

So too, the Sages teach (Eruvin 22a): “Today is for doing, and tomorrow is for receiving the reward.”

“Today” means this world; “tomorrow” refers to the World to Come. In this world, with a small effort, one can acquire immense spiritual treasures — Torah study, kindness, and good deeds. But in the next world, even if a person were to offer all his fortune just to answer “Amen” one more time, it would be impossible.

The Parable of the King’s Treasury

A parable tells of two nations locked in war for many years. One day, the king of one nation proclaimed: “Whoever can end this bloody war will be rewarded with five minutes inside the royal treasury — to take whatever he can carry!”

Eventually, a brilliant man discovered a strategy that ended the conflict. True to his word, the king granted him access to the treasury. But as the day approached, the king worried — what if the man managed to empty his family’s fortune in those five minutes? Yet breaking his promise would bring shame upon the throne.

One of the royal advisors proposed a clever solution: “The man loves music, Your Majesty. Arrange a grand concert of the finest singers and musicians at the entrance to the treasury. Their enchanting melodies will surely captivate him long enough that his five minutes will pass before he realizes it.”

The plan was approved.

When the long-awaited day arrived, the man dressed himself and his family in luxurious clothes (all on credit) and rode to the palace. His family waited anxiously outside the treasury doors. The music began — a heavenly orchestra of breathtaking beauty filled the air. He paused, overcome by the sublime sounds. “What magnificent voices!” he thought. The five minutes ticked away.

He tried to remind himself, “Don’t forget why you’re here!” But each time he moved toward the treasures, another song began — sweeter and more captivating than the last. Then suddenly, a guard pulled him by the arm: “Your time is up. Leave now.”

He walked out empty-handed, devastated. All his life he regretted allowing himself to be distracted by the music — he had squandered his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Life Is Short, and Distraction Is the Thief of Purpose

This parable is strikingly clear: the span of human life — seventy, eighty, even ninety years, is like five minutes compared to eternity. In that brief time, a person can fill his soul with eternal wealth. But the evil inclination — our inner voice of distraction, plays sweet melodies to keep us busy with comfort, entertainment, pride, envy, pleasure.

Many people never wake up from that music. Others, blessed with awareness, stop mid-song and remember why they came into this world — to gather treasures of meaning, wisdom, kindness, and holiness that last forever.

Our task is to remain alert and wise, not to sleep through life’s fleeting opportunity. Only in this world can we perform deeds that echo in eternity.

Small Acts, Eternal Rewards

The sister of the Vilna Gaon used to collect charity with her friend for widows and orphans. The two women made a pact: whichever of them passed away first would appear to the other in a dream and describe what happens in the World of Truth.

When the Gaon’s sister passed away, she indeed appeared to her friend and said: “I cannot reveal what happens here — I do not have permission. But I will tell you one thing: Do you remember that day when I pointed with my finger toward the house of a wealthy man and said, ‘Let’s go ask him for a donation’? For that single motion of my finger, I have received a reward beyond your imagination.”
(Sefer Merosh Amana, p. 158)

The Vilna Gaon’s Final Tears

Rabbi David Luria recounted that when the Vilna Gaon lay on his deathbed, he held onto his tzitzit (ritual fringes) and wept: “How difficult it is to part from this world — the world of action! Through a single mitzvah like tzitzit, a person can earn infinite reward in the World to Come, to behold the Divine Presence. Where, in the world of souls, can one find a mitzvah like this?” (Anaf Etz Avot, p. 298)

Seize the Moment — Do Good While You Can

This world is fleeting — a short celebration that ends before we realize it. Every day offers chances to act with goodness, compassion, and purpose.

The melodies of distraction are strong, but the call of the soul is stronger. As Shmuel taught: “Seize and eat, seize and drink” — not for pleasure’s sake, but for meaning’s sake. Because one day, the music will stop, and only our deeds will follow us.