The Gemora (Kesuvos 103a) records: On the day that Rebbe died, a Heavenly voice went forth and announced: “Whoever has been present at the death of Rebbe is destined for the life of the World to Come.”
The commentators are bewildered: How can it be that one can merit a share in the World to Come just by being present when Rebbe departed this world? The World to Come is a spiritual level that one may attain through his actions; how can it be given away for free?
Rav Dessler writes: We are compelled to say that those who were present when Rebbe died elevated themselves to an extremely high level. The passing on of such a righteous and holy person caused them to mend their ways and transform themselves into completely different people. They removed themselves from a world of falsehood and became children that merited the World to Come.
The commentators are bewildered: How can it be that one can merit a share in the World to Come just by being present when Rebbe departed this world? The World to Come is a spiritual level that one may attain through his actions; how can it be given away for free?
Rav Dessler writes: We are compelled to say that those who were present when Rebbe died elevated themselves to an extremely high level. The passing on of such a righteous and holy person caused them to mend their ways and transform themselves into completely different people. They removed themselves from a world of falsehood and became children that merited the World to Come.
Read more!
