When Do the Good Times Start?

"G-d placed Adam in the Garden of Eden to work and protect it." The Talmud explains that toil is not a consequence of sin, but rather G-d's original intention for mankind.

The same was with the creation of the Jewish people: When G-d told Moses to redeem the nation from Egypt, there was no immediate talk of "freedom," or of the beautiful and bountiful land they were to inherit. Rather, G-d stressed that they were redeemed "to serve Me upon this mountain."

The only way to attain personal wholeness is through toil. We see in human nature that if one receives an undeserved gift, he feels shame in enjoying it. G-d wants every person to enjoy the utmost good, so He created the opportunity for man to "serve" Him, "to work and protect the Garden." Then man is able to fully receive and enjoy his hard-earned reward, and experience true fulfillment.