Is There a World to Come? And How Do the Haredim Behave? 5 Points for Reflection

The Secrets of Life

There are at least three elements the world cannot exist without: oxygen, water, and blood... Notice:

Oxygen - essential for breathing. We know today where oxygen comes from, but who "produces" it? Who gave it the "chemical composition" so crucial for us to breathe, without which, heaven forbid, we would die?

Water - the liquid of life. Humans, animals, and plants need water to maintain their life cycle. We know how to produce various drinks, but we cannot create water. So, who is the "genius" that concocted this unique liquid?

Blood - checking the chemical composition of blood, blood pressure, and other properties provides doctors with ample information about the body's overall state. So, who is "responsible" for the production of blood, so vital to our body's function?

Besides the great wonder of creating these fundamental components, they are unique resources that humans cannot produce, despite all scientific and technological advancements, nor can a suitable substitute be made for them! These resources are crucial for life on Earth.

Friends, there is a great message here for us: if our existence depends on water, oxygen, and blood, then necessarily, we are dependent on whoever is responsible for producing these resources, right? Who, then, is responsible for the creation of these resources? Who is this planner?

Though we think we are wise and strong, in the end, we are so fragile and helpless in the face of the secret of life. May it be Hashem's will that we know and understand that we are always dependent on the grace and mercy of the Creator, who allows our existence in this world.

Israel - The Center of the World

Open an atlas and search for the geographical location of Israel on the face of the Earth. Where exactly is it? On the side? Above? Below? You can see that Israel is right in the center of the world! Is this a coincidental location?

We have observed that for thousands of years, the Land of Israel has constituted the world's center. The eyes of millions from all over the world have been turned to it. Indeed, this strip of land has always been a place for conflicts and wars among people of different nations and religions, all wanting control of this central and strategic location - both spiritually and materially.

However, more than being a central place in the physical sense of humanity's general life, the real expression is found in the spiritual discourse of the sages, emphasizing the location of Jerusalem in the world's center: "The Land of Israel sits in the middle of the world, and Jerusalem in the middle of the Land of Israel, and the Temple in the middle of Jerusalem, and the Sanctuary in the middle of the Temple, and the Ark in the middle of the Sanctuary, and the Foundation Stone before the Sanctuary, from which the world was founded" (Midrash Tanchuma, Kedoshim 10).

This Midrash, from about 1,600 years ago, notes the geographical location of Israel in the world's center. Back then, there were no advanced technological means like today. So how did they know this in the Midrash? The Creator of the world knows how to commit to its creation's shape and location!

Interestingly, the same stretch of land - the Land of Israel - promised by the Creator to the people of Israel, is centrally located in the world and not elsewhere. It seems symbolic to me that the chosen nation is also at the world's center, with all nations around it, all looking towards it...

Fruit Basket

It's easy to recognize the Creator's handiwork when we look at a basket of fruit.

The beautiful apple, the orange, and the banana - their shapes, colors, tastes, and aromas were designed with supreme genius, and notice: human hands did not play a part in their production! Despite the advanced technology of our time, food still reaches us only from the ground and the tree. Even in our advanced world, grains and fruits continue to be a sophisticated masterpiece, a creation to which humans have contributed nothing!

Even top researchers in the largest chemical companies have not yet managed to produce even a single seed, despite all the equipment at their disposal. And see how wondrous it is - the plant produces the fruit using only sunlight, water, air, and a little soil.

The wonder doesn't end here; it even intensifies: before us is a package of juicy food growing on the tree, a package that, after consuming its contents, contains a "coupon" granting the holder another package. After a person enjoys eating the fruit, they throw the seeds into the ground; thus, future supplies for growing new fruits are ensured!

Here we can tangibly witness the functioning of deep wisdom, intelligence that is beyond the grasp of human understanding. Could it be that such marvelous processes, evidencing a guiding and caring hand, came into being by themselves without a creator and planner?...

Is There a World to Come?

Some people do not believe in the existence of the world to come. Let's consider and examine this claim:

1. There are countless studies documenting the testimonies of people who experienced clinical death. Astonishingly, most of them report similar experiences they underwent during their dying process, such as seeing a dark tunnel and a great, powerful light, a "being" overflowing with endless love. This being communicated with them by thought transfer. They saw all their relatives and friends who passed away before them coming toward them, they saw quick yet clear images of their lives. And everyone, without exception, was able to see and hear everything happening around their physical bodies, which they had left "below."

Researchers, even non-Jewish ones, also testify to this, like the famous bereavement researcher, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. In our country, you might be surprised to learn, even former Minister Yossi Sarid himself testified to this: "My soul separated from my body, I saw everything from above."

2. If this world is the essence, why do we die in the end? Why don't we live eternally? What is the purpose in this world, if we all separate from it in the end?...

After all, if Hashem created the sun, animals, and humans ex nihilo, is it a problem for Him to grant eternal life to humans? Clearly, it's no problem! If so, there must be a reason why this world is temporary for us and why we die in the end...

3. If this world is the essence, how is it that there isn’t even one material thing that a person can enjoy for the long term?
Notice: Everything material at some point becomes boring to a person. The more they consume it, the faster they tire of it. Give a person day after day the juiciest steak he loves - eventually, he will tire of it and want to move on to the next excitement. A person who sees great value in money and property acquisition will strive and even achieve his goal, but shortly he will discover he is not happy with what he has achieved, and he will seek more. And so on. Therefore, how can a person reach true happiness? It seems that true happiness is not material, but something of a different kind - spiritual happiness, which is higher than the fleeting physical pleasures.

4. Finally, those who believe in Hashem and the Torah know that it explicitly states there is a world to come. In the Oral Torah, it is stated: "This world is like a corridor before the world to come (Ethics of the Fathers, 4:16).

May it be Hashem's will that we merit doing mitzvot and receiving their reward in this world and the world to come, Amen.

How Do the Haredim Behave...

This week, a report was published in the media about a Haredi who embezzled public funds. I have a colleague at work who swooped on this report like finding a great treasure. He approached me enthusiastically with this report and said: "Do you see how your Haredim behave? Shameful! A Haredi behaves like this?!"

I replied to him: "If it were a secular person who embezzled public funds, the media wouldn't bother to mention that a 'secular person' embezzled money, but since it involves a Haredi, the media is happy to highlight this fact to vilify and smear...

"Although you're not aware, by your words, you yourself understand and admit that the Torah of Israel is the most moral and righteous path. After all, if you didn't think so, you wouldn't be surprised by that Haredi's actions, nor would you come to me with complaints about his behavior! Since you know that the Torah of Israel teaches kindness and love for one's fellow, that's why you react the way you do"...

The colleague was silent. But I didn't stop there, but asked him:

"If it were the same case, but this time involving a doctor (considered by society the most intelligent profession), would you tell me: "Do you see how doctors behave, shameful, a doctor behaves like this?" Surely not... Why? Because you expect a doctor to be a good professional - to heal people, and the actions of that doctor in matters between him and others are not our concern!"...

Friends, even in religious society, there is unfortunately a very small minority that strays, but the individual does not represent the whole! Just as we should not generalize and smeared the whole secular society because of one secular person who strayed, so there is no reason to smear the entire religious society, which at its core and essence teaches unmatched kindness and love for others as they are...