Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz
Is every Jew guaranteed a share in the World to Come no matter what bad stuff he or she has done? Are any Jews left behind? And if they are, where do they end up?
Rabbi Chaim Mintz responds:
Every Single Jew?
You are referring to the famous Mishnah (Sanhedrin 90a — also recited on spring and summer Shabbat afternoons prefacing Pirkei Avot): “Kol Yisrael yeish lahem cheilek la’Olam Haba — Every Jew has a share in the World to Come.” At first glance, this sounds like every Jew has a free pass to the Next World. But what is not as well known is that the Mishnah then continues and limits this offer, stipulating that there are also some who do not receive a place in the World to Come. So where does that leave us? Is any Jew left behind?
Every Single Jew!
The answer is that every Jew does have a place in the World to Come, as the first part of the Mishnah states. Even one who sins does not forfeit his portion, but he may need to be cleansed of his sins before entering. The ideal way of taking care of this is with repentance, which has the power to wipe away spiritual impurities.
If a person doesn’t repent, Hashem (God) may afflict him with pain or distress. Punishment in this world is a great gift to a person, purifying him and making him deserving of entry into the World to Come. One who is not punished in this world, and has too many sins to be allowed into the World to Come, may need to suffer in Gehinnom (Hell) before being allowed entrance. Other times, his soul will need to return to this world as what is known as a gilgul — reincarnation — to make amends and correct what was done wrong the first time.
Besides For…
There are certain sins, however, that are so severe and so fundamental that these purifying methods may not be enough. One who does not believe that God is the Creator and the One Who runs the world, or does not believe in all 13 Principles of our Faith, cannot gain entry into the Next World. This is generally true even for someone who grew up in a non-religious environment, because God expects every Jew to find the truth. Just by looking around at the wonders of the world, one should come to the realization that there must be a God Who is the Creator, and that He chose the Jewish nation as His chosen people.
It is possible, however, for someone to have grown up in an environment that made it impossible to come to this realization. Such a person will not be held accountable for his lack of knowledge, and may be “eligible” for a second chance, and will be sent back to this world. If he then finally becomes acquainted with his Creator, he will be worthy of entering the World to Come to enjoy eternal bliss.
Grab the Opportunities!
One who does not take advantage of all these doors that God opens may, God forbid, suffer eternal pain and frustration for this. God, in His great kindness, gives every Jew opportunities to get to know Him and thereby merit eternal reward. That is the greatest pleasure and the entire purpose of creation.
In short: Every Jew has a portion in the World to Come, but one has to first have an awareness of God to be able to enjoy this eternal bliss.
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