Why Every Moment Counts: Lessons from the Torah

When the sister of the Vilna Gaon finally came to visit him after nearly fifty years apart, he emerged from his room to greet her warmly, even reciting the blessing for reviving the dead, as per tradition. He inquired about her and her family, then promptly returned to his studies.
"See, my sister," he humbly explained, "my hair has turned white, a sign from the heavenly court that my end is near. In the world above, I'll be held accountable for all my actions, both good and bad. How can I spend time on worldly matters when my remaining days are numbered?...
His sister understood his devotion and left to visit the rebbetzin, while the Gaon resumed his studies.

(From "Treasures of the Last Days")

Time is Short, the Work is Great

Rabbi Yitzchak Yehuda Stern, of blessed memory, was a devoted student of the Ktav Sofer. His dedication to Torah study was unwavering—his mouth never ceased from reciting it. He loved the Torah beyond measure, sacrificing sleep and comfort for its sake. Rabbi Yitzchak Yehuda slept only a few hours, sustained by minimal food, just enough to keep the body going, as every other moment was dedicated to learning.
Although he cherished his children dearly, he esteemed the holy Torah above all, limiting his conversations with them to matters of spiritual work. At eighty-five, when ill and confined to bed, his children and grandchildren traveled far to tend to him. Yet they were surprised to hear him say, "Please, my dear children, forgive me for not speaking much. I cannot take time from my Torah study for casual talks, as time is short and the Torah work is great"...
Even as his pain increased, Rabbi Yitzchak Yehuda continued his studies with exceptional devotion.

(From the book "Write This as Memory," as referenced in "Treasures of the Last Days")

"Soon I Must Answer to the Heavenly Court"

So dedicated was Maran the Gaon Rabbi Elazar Menachem Man Shach to learning, understanding the value of each moment, that he declined offers to serve as a godfather. When a student asked him, he said: "I am old now, and soon I must face the heavenly court. If I am a godfather for you, I'll have to do it for others, and then how will I have time to learn? Would you want me to appear before the heavenly court as an ignoramus? I must use my time to study Torah.
Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Shulsinger testified: "For many years, he kept the book 'Even Shlema' in his pocket, folded at the chapter discussing the day of death and what follows. He frequently pondered it."

(From "Treasures of the Last Days")

What Would the Dead Do If They Could Return?

The scholar Rabbi Chaim of Brisk once posed a thought experiment: Imagine if one day, the heavens allowed the dead an hour out of their graves to do whatever they wished. Upon hearing this, the living would rush to cemeteries to meet their departed loved ones.
Yet when the moment came, and the graves opened, the risen would hurry past the crowd to the nearest study hall.
There, they would immerse in Torah study with great intensity, savoring every moment until their return to the earth. This illustrates 'Torah is only fulfilled by one who kills himself over it' (Berachot 63, b). In the world of truth, people appreciate the value of every 'drop' of time.

(From "Treasures of the Last Days")