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"Rabbi Akiva says, 'This world is like a vestibule to the world to come; prepare yourself in the vestibule in order to enter the main hall."
One of the foundations of the Jewish faith is the belief in the World to Come, the conviction that there exists a supernal and eternal afterlife and that this world is little more than a "vestibule to the World to Come." This cognizance changes one's entire way of relating to our world and its events. One who possesses such a faith does not look for reward and riches here; instead, such a person dedicates his life in this world to preparatory work in order to guarantee his place in the eventual World to Come.
Belief in the soul's immortality, in eternal life, has the effect of making life in this world appear insignificant. Life in this world appears short, quantitatively transient and qualitatively limited; its only value is that it allows a person to prepare for the eternal and perfect World to Come. Such an approach negates the "instant gratification" attitude which demands here-and-now results, for it claims that the present is not what is important; the here-and-now is a mere means to a more lofty and elevated end. The sages thus teach, "A moment of satisfaction in the World to Come is better than an entire lifetime in this world."
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
25 - 25. The World to Come – Further Clarification
26 - 26. This World and the World to Come
27 - 27. The Preeminence of the Land of Israel
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And how hapless is one who does not believe in the World to Come, whose entire existence is temporary and passing. He knows not what the future holds in store nor the number of his days. Denial of the World to Come fills a person with despair and nothingness. The sorry slogan, "Eat and drink for tomorrow we die" cannot bring man true happiness.
The Prophets have informed us regarding the immortality of the soul. It is hinted at in the prophecy which tells us that Elijah the Prophet will reveal himself in the future redemption. We also find that King Saul invoked Samuel the Prophet who was no longer living, and Samuel prophesied regarding what was to transpire, in the same manner that he did while he was alive. And though invoking the spirits of the dead is forbidden by the Torah, we are at any rate able to learn from here that the soul is immortal and that it lives on even after it has been separated from the body.
Even today, there are people who make a practice of communicating with the dead. The Torah, of course, forbids such behavior in no uncertain terms, and every Jew must distance himself from such people, but, all the same, the phenomena itself serves to confirm the concept of the immortality of the soul.
Belief in life after death, in the World to Come, is one of the foundations of the Jewish faith.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
