There is continuing discussion in Christian quarters about the End of Time. In the context of the return of Jesus and everyone going up to heaven to join him I find this a welter of confusion. It is in this world that we live. No one, except for preachers of gospels (choosing their own favorite ones), can assure us exactly what the “next” or “heavenly” world will be like. My favorite impression is one garnered from Christian lore that it is a place where it never rains, people are all dressed in white robes and some have wings, mostly likely because they are angels, saints or other special personages who could afford to buy their way in.
Jews have a special outlook on what heaven must be like. An old story involves the main object of going there is each person is finally being able to rid oneself of his personal trouble (tsouris) that everyone, of course, must have. You cannot imagine life without some pain (tsouris) that you could do without. But you must realize that in this world there is no place, like a utopia, where ALL problems are solved and people have gotten rid of their private agonies (tsouris). That story involves a saintly Rabbi who goes to heaven and is met by the Angel Gabriel and has a little talk with him. After being given a brief tour, the Rabbi notes that there is a narrow board that goes from the beginning of time to the end of time – a very long board. On that board are nails on which hang what appears to be tsouris’ of every description, size, shape and color.
The Rabbi is intrigued and asks the Angel what is its purpose? Well, Gabriel answers, I can see you have this tsouris that has given you pain for all of your life and at this time you might want to rid yourself of it. For that purpose this board with nails on it makes it possible for you to examine all the troubles other people wanted to get rid of that are hanging from those nails. Excitedly, the Rabbi asks the Angel – do you really mean it? Can I just take off my tsouris and hang it on a nail? Yes, but – the answer came: You can place your tsouris on a nail and exchange it for another which will become yours.
That sounded reasonable. So, the Rabbi spent several eons of time inspecting the board with all those troubles hanging from it – for it was a very long line of troubles that had been besieging all those who came before him. And remember, he was a very saintly person in life.
The conclusion of the story is that the Rabbi finished his inspection and decided that after looking at what problems and troubles everyone else had had, he was used to his own and would prefer to keep it that way. At the end of time, Gabriel noted briefly, that was what most preferred and that is why time continues.