Shabbat 30: It Is Better to be Alive Now Than in to be in the World-to-Come

Today's daf begins with a discussion of life and death.  Is it better to be dead or alive?  The rabbis generally believe that because people can praise G-d, it is better for us to be alive.  Rabbi Tanhum asserts both that it is to be a simple creature who can praise G-d and to be alive now because we are currently praising G-d.  Usually we learn that our ancestors are closer to G-d and G-d word than us, but in this case Rabbi Tanhum believes that being alive now is the enviable place to be.

Countering this, the rabbis consider the World to Come.  What we will do when we are there that is not as good as right now, while we are alive?  Rabbi Gamliel teaches that women will conceive and give birth on the same day (Jeremiah 31:7).  In response a student says that "there is nothing new under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1:9).  Gamliel shows him that, in fact, a chicken lays an egg every day.

The rabbis teach us that our actions in this world are what is important.  The World to Come seems to be based on this world but without the work - no tailoring or cooking will be required for us to live happy lives.