Dying Souls Have a Vision of Their Future

It is written: She is clothed with strength and splendor; [she looks to the future cheerfully] (Proverbs 31:25, NJPS). The entire reward for the righteous is prepared for them in the future to come. And the Holy One shows them, while they are still in this world, what their reward is that He will give them in the future to come, and their souls are satiated, and they sleep. R. Eleazar said: This is analogous to a king who made a feast and invited guests, and he showed them what they would be eating and drinking, and their souls were satiated, and they slept. Likewise, the Holy One shows the righteous, while they are still in this world, their reward that He will give them in the future to come, and their souls are satiated, and they sleep.

What is the meaning of I would be sleeping and at rest (Job 3:13)—thus, at the time that the righteous ones are taken [from this world], the Holy One shows them their reward.

Translated by Dov Weiss and Jenny R. Labendz.