I once spent time by the hospital bed of a deathly ill man. The whole time I was there, I spoke to him encouragingly, offering him words of inspiration in faith and trust in Hashem. But I could tell that something was bothering him.
“What’s on your mind?” I asked.
“I am wondering what will happen after I die. Who will take care of my elderly parents?”
I realized he felt his end was imminent. All of his thoughts, therefore, revolved around how his parents would manage without his help.
I learned a valuable mussar lesson from this experience. Just as this man’s thoughts were completely consumed by his parents’ welfare, so must each and every person concern himself about his life in the World to Come. He must ensure to prepare himself an honorable position in the Upper World, by learning Torah and keeping mitzvot. Chazal exhort us (Avot 4:16), “This world is like a lobby before the World to Come; prepare yourself in the lobby so that you may enter the banquet hall.”
Just as a person straightens out his clothing and makes himself presentable before entering a king’s palace, so must he prepare himself in this world, the anteroom before the World to Come. It is here where we must brush off all material dust and polish our souls to a high sheen. Then we will enter the World to Come in perfect condition.
