Kuntres
Chaf-Alef Teves, 5749
(Sefer HaMaamarim Meluket III, p. 33ff)
By the Grace of G-d
Shabbos Parshas Acharei Mevorchim HaChodesh Iyar, 5746
To explain the concept of Techiyas HaMeisim, the Resurrection of the
Dead:
The Mishnah states:1 “Every Jew has a share in the World to Come.” In this
Mishnah, the term “World to Come” refers2 to the “World of Resurrection.”
This is indicated by the continuation of the Mishnah: “The following do
not have a portion in the World to Come: He who says that ‘there is no
indication in the Torah that the dead will be resurrected.’” The reason [why
such an individual is denied a portion in the World to Come,] is, as the
Gemara explains:3 “He
denied the Resurrection of the Dead; therefore he will not have a share in this
Resurrection — measure for measure.” Thus, [it is with regard to Resurrection
of the Dead] that it is said: “Every Jew has a share in the World to Come.”
Gan Eden, [the Garden of Eden, the spiritual realm of the souls,] {is at
times, also referred to as the World to Come.4 Although Gan Eden exists now as
well,5 [it is given
this name which implies a future event,] because it is attained by man after
his labor in this world6}.
As the verse states,7 “Who
may ascend the mountain of G-d?... He who has “clean hands” and a pure heart.”
This verse indicates that there many requirements for attaining the state of
Gan Eden.8 With regard to the Era of Resurrection (the principal
appellation of the World to Come), by contrast, it is stated that “Every Jew has
a share in the World to Come.”9
This requires explanation. The revelations that will characterize the Era of
Resurrection far surpass those of Gan Eden. This is evident from the fact
that Gan Eden exists now as well, while the revelations of the Era of
Resurrection will not be manifest until that Future Era. Moreover, the
revelation of the Era of Resurrection will follow (even) the Era of Mashiach.
{This is also indicated by the expression:10 “There is none comparable to You... in this world; and none
apart from You... in the life of the World to Come; there is nothing aside from
You... in the Era of Mashiach; and there is none like You... in the Era
of Resurrection of the Dead.” These four epochs are arranged in ascending order.
The revelation of the World to Come (in this context, Gan Eden11) is loftier than the revelation that can exist
in this world. Higher still, is the revelation in the Era of Mashiach.
And on an even higher plane is the revelation of the Resurrection of the Dead
— superior even to the revelation in the Era of Mashiach.}
[This requires explanation.] Many conditions must be met to merit the
revelation of Gan Eden, while the revelation of the Resurrection of the
Dead, which is vastly superior to that of Gan Eden, will be granted to
all Jews.
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