[9:1] We explained that the reward for fulfilling the mitzvos and observing the path of God laid out in the Bible and Talmud, is the World to Come, as it is written, "If you do this, you will have it good and will live long." (Deuteronomy 22:7). The punishment inflicted on the wicked who leave the path of the righteous is kareis (premature death), as it is written, "That person shall be utterly cut off spiritually and his sin shall remain upon him." (Numbers 15:31). In light of that, what is the meaning of statements found throughout the entire Torah implying that, if you keep the mitzvos, you will merit rewards in this world, and, if you do not keep the commandments, you will be punished in this world? Furthermore, these rewards and punishments, discussed in the Tanach, are worldly things, including abundance or famine, peace or war, supremacy over other nations, or persecution, living in Eretz Yisrael or living in exile, success in one's undertakings or ruin, and other points mentioned in the covenant of the Tochachah. (Leviticus, chapter 26 and Deuteronomy, chapter 28.).

In fact these statements are true. They have happened in the past, and they will happen in the future. When we fulfill the mitzvos of the Torah, we are entitled to the rewards of this world¹. On the other hand, if we transgress the commandments, the evils outlined in the Torah come to pass². But the rewards that the righteous receive in this world are not the final rewards for following in the way of God. Punishments in this world are not necessarily the final retribution imposed on someone who violates the mitzvos. Rather, God gave us the Torah which is the Tree of Life. Whoever fulfills what is written in it, and understands it, deserves life in the World to Come. The share a person merits in the World to Come depends on his knowledge of the laws of the Torah and his fulfillment of these laws. Furthermore, the Torah promises that if we fulfill the mitzvos with joy and love, engrossing ourselves in its wisdom all the time, God will remove the deterrents that prevent us from fulfilling it, such as sickness, war, famine, etc. God will also cause good to happen, that will foster our observance of the Torah. These include, abundance, peace, and a profusion of silver and gold, so that we will not be busy working for a livelihood, and we will have time to study the Torah and perform it's mitzvos, thus meriting life in the World to Come.

After promising the rewards of this world, the Torah concludes, "It will be a merit for us to safeguard and keep all of these commandments." (Deuteronomy 6:24). The Torah also warns us that if we intentionally turn our back on the Torah, occupying ourselves in hollow pursuits, as it is written, "Yeshurun (i.e., Israel) became fat and rebelled." (Deuteronomy 32:15), the True Judge will no longer spoil them with the good things in life that fostered their rebellion. He will then bring upon us the evils that prevent us from acquiring a share in the World to Come, so that they either repent or perish. As it is written, "Because you did not serve God with happiness and a glad heart ... You will therefore serve your enemies, which God will send against you." (Deuteronomy 18:47,48).

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