The famed chasidic rabbi and mentor, Rabbi Yitzchak Gurevitch, popularly known as Itche der Masmid ("the Assiduous")1, told the following story:

Two souls met midway between heaven and earth. One was descending to begin life on this earth; the other had just departed a body and was ascending to heaven to reunite with its Source.

"Nu, what can you tell me about the world I am about to enter?" asks the descending soul.

"Well, one thing I can tell you is that for two kopeks [a minuscule amount] one can purchase tzitzit!"

"Wow!" exclaims the descending soul, "tzitzit for two kopeks! I can't wait!"

"Not so fast," says the ascending soul, "wait until you see what you have to do to earn two kopeks."