בס”ד


Noahides who observe the Seven Noahide Commandments are entitled to a share in the World to Come is a central value in Jewish law (Rambam Laws of Repentance 3:5). Nevertheless, a question arose from the Babylonian Talmud regarding this. (Pesachim 68a):

One verse states: “He will swallow up death forever” (Isaiah 25:8).
Another verse states: “For the boy shall die a hundred years old” (Isaiah 65:20).

The Torah resolves what seems to be at a first glance a contradiction: The promise of no death (“swallow up death forever”) applies to Israel in the time to come. The possibility of death remaining (“the boy shall die”) applies to the idolaters who have not yet perfected themselves and thus continue to sin. This implies that even during the Messianic Era, death might exist for those who are still immersed in sin.

But delving deeper, however, the concept of “death” remaining for the wicked during the Messianic Era may be according to some Chassidic sources, on a spiritual level, not merely as physical demise. The Messianic Age involves the completion of all spiritual rectification, leading to the fulfillment of the prophecy, “I will cause the unclean spirit to depart from the land” (Zechariah 13:2). So, death in this context is not as simple physical mortality but a spiritual fall: “Whoever falls from their spiritual level is called dead”. Those among the nations who have not completely abandoned the sin of idolatry may still experience this spiritual “death” (a fall from a higher spiritual plane to a lower one), even though physical death may have been abolished for all.

The conclusion derived from this entire discussion is that Eternal Life is attainable for those pious and righteous of the nations who fulfilled their Divine mission and observed their Seven Commandments. They will merit eternal life as a reward. Therefore, while there may be a spiritual “death” (a fall from stature) for those who cling to impurity during the Messianic Era, Noahides who fulfill their Seven Universal Commandments are clearly included in the promise of eternal life. Their faithful adherence to G-d’s will ensures their portion and reward in the World to Come and eternal existence alongside the righteous of Israel.

The infinite Creator reduces His infinite light so that it can be revealed and animate the creation. All the commandments, prayers, and studies we do are intended to create vessels through which the infinite light of the Creator is revealed in a finite and limited world, in our vessels. This is truly a mind- boggling concept. All this, and far more than that, will be revealed in the World to Come.

By Rabbi Moshe Bernstein

Source

Rambam, Laws of Repentance, Chapter 3, Halacha 5. Tosefta Sanhedrin 13b. Igeret Hakodesh chapter 26. Meiri of Tractate Sanhedrin, page 57. Rambam, Laws of Kings, Chapter 8, 11. Zechariah 13:2.



If you want more questions for contemplation, SEE THE OTHER BLOGS FROM RABBI MOSHE BERNSTEIN

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