It’s a question that’s echoed through generations, and while we can’t know for sure, Jewish mystical tradition offers some fascinating perspectives. Let's delve into one of them.
The Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, a Kabbalistic text whose name itself ("138 Openings of Wisdom") suggests a deep exploration of divine knowledge, offers a glimpse into this very idea. It speaks of a future where "perfection will reign," a time when all that is broken is mended, all deficiencies repaired. But how does this happen?
The text suggests it comes about "through the revelation of the knowledge of His unity, blessed be His name." In other words, the more we understand and recognize the absolute oneness of God – that all power and control reside solely with Him – the closer we get to that state of repaired perfection.
Think of it like this: if we constantly see the world as fragmented, full of competing forces and separate entities, we’re missing the bigger picture. But when we perceive the underlying unity, the divine spark within everything, we begin to heal the divisions within ourselves and the world around us. That’s when the real work begins.
And what’s the reward for this shift in perspective? According to the Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, it's the establishment of an "eternal reward… for ever and ever and to all eternity, endlessly and without limits." Sounds pretty good. It paints a picture of something truly infinite and boundless.
But there’s more to it than just a blanket reward for everyone. The text goes on to say that during the Great Judgment, this revelation of unity plays a crucial role in determining each person’s eternal reward. It’s not just about serving, but about how we serve, and how deeply we internalize and reveal that divine unity in our actions and our being.
Here’s the kicker: "Each one’s delight in the Supreme Perfection will be commensurate with his service in revealing the unity." So, the more we dedicate ourselves to understanding and embodying this oneness, the greater our capacity for experiencing the ultimate bliss. It's a direct relationship.
It's a powerful idea, isn't it? That our eternal reward isn't some arbitrary gift, but rather a natural consequence of our own efforts to connect with the divine unity. It suggests that the purpose of life isn’t just about following rules, but about cultivating a deep and personal relationship with the divine, and reflecting that connection in every aspect of our lives.
So, how are we revealing the unity in our own lives? Where can we mend the brokenness within ourselves and the world? These are questions worth pondering, as we journey toward that future of ultimate perfection. Because maybe, just maybe, the key to eternal reward lies not in some distant future, but in the choices we make right here, right now.