All of Israel have a share in the World to Come (introduction to Ethics of the Fathers)
Every Jew—righteous and not so righteous—deserves reward just for being Jewish. A portion of the World-to-Come is his just by virtue of belonging to the Jewish people. Without a proper Torah education, an untutored Jew's mitzvot may be lacking. Yet he is still part of the nation of Israel and deserving of eternal life. Even the simplest Jew is full of mitzvot, like seeds of a pomegranate, by the weight of Jewish fate and responsibility.
(Blossoms, by Rabbi Yisroel Rubin)
Contemplate three things and you will not come into the hands of sin: Know what is above you (mimcha)...(Ethics 2:1)
According to the Maggid of Mezritch, this teaching can be interpreted as follows: "Know that what is above—mimcha—is from you." Know that everything which you receive from Above is a reciprical reaction to what you do here in this world.
Do not separate yourself from the community (Ethics 2:2)
Hillel teaches that all Jews are intrinsically one and the same. They are not just separate entities that may later link themselves together. This is why the menora in the Holy Temple was made out of one solid piece of gold, which was beaten into seven branches. The different branches of the menora symbolize the diversity and broad spectrum of the Jewish community. Each Jew shines and expresses the light of Torah in a different way. We may represent various aspects of Jewish life, yet deep down we're all made of the same substance.
(Blossoms, Rabbi Yisroel Rubin)
All Israel have a share in the World to Come" (Intro to Ethics of the Fathers)
In Hebrew, the verse literally says, "All Israel, they have a share in the World to Come." The plural is used to indicate that it is only because of their brotherhood and unity that the Jewish people is deserving of reward. According to Maimonides, a person who is otherwise totally scrupulous in religious observance but separates himself from the Jewish community is not worthy of a portion of the World to Come.
(*Blossoms*, Rabbi Yisroel Rubin)
"And all your deeds are recorded in a book" (Ethics, 2:1).
"Why does it say that G‑d writes our deeds down? Does He really need a notebook to remind him of man's actions?
"Rather, the fact that each deed is recorded serves to remind us that our actions down below are important and make a definite impression above.
"(It is interesting to note that this saying is attributed to Rabbi Yehuda Hanassi, who was responsible for compiling the Mishna and committing it to writing because of the difficulties and hardships of the exile)
(Blossoms, Rabbi Yisroel Rubin).
