Essence of Pomegranates

(This parable concerns merchants who would sell merchandise in one country and purchase different merchandise in another country.)
Now, it is the custom that they sell the merchandise at a set price and buy the other merchandise at a set price. (Behold, if they sell the first merchandise at a high price Literally: "in dearness" and buy the second at a low price, they will profit greatly; but if they sell the first at a low price and buy the second at a high price, they will lose greatly. If they sell the first at a high price and buy the second at a high price, they will neither profit nor lose; likewise, if they sell the first at a low price and buy the second at a low price, they will neither profit nor lose.)

Now, this parable is an analogy for the soul that comes into this world Hebrew: Olam HaZeh, referring to our physical life on earth to acquire commandments Mitzvot; divine deeds or obligations and good deeds. This world is the "country" where the merchandise is sold, and the World to Come Hebrew: Olam HaBa, referring to the spiritual realm or afterlife is the "country" where the merchandise is bought.

(Behold, if a person "sells" his days in this world at a high price—meaning he occupies himself with the study of Torah and the performance of commandments—and "buys" the World to Come at a low price—meaning he merits the life of the World to Come—he will profit greatly. But if he sells his days at a low price—meaning he occupies himself with the vanities of this world—and buys the World to Come at a high price—meaning he does not merit the life of the World to Come—he will lose greatly.)

This parable is pleasant and acceptable to the heart. (Behold, there are several things here that must be explained very clearly.) The first point is what he said: (that they would sell merchandise in one country and buy other merchandise in another country). The first country is This World, and the second country is the World to Come. (The first merchandise consists of a person's days in this world, and the second merchandise is life in the World to Come.) The "selling" is the labor in Torah and commandments, and the "buying" is the merit of life in the World to Come.

(Behold, if a person sells his days at a high price—meaning he occupies himself extensively with Torah and commandments—he will buy the World to Come "cheaply"—meaning he will merit the life of the World to Come with ease.) But if he sells his days cheaply—meaning he occupies himself with the vanities of this world—he will buy the World to Come "dearly"—meaning he will not merit the life of the World to Come except with great difficulty. (This parable is a true analogy, and it is proper for every person to take it to heart.)

The second point is what he said: (Now, it is the custom that they sell the merchandise at a set price and buy the other merchandise at a set price). The "set price" is the time allotted to a person in this world. (If a person utilizes this time for the service of the Name, may He be blessed A common Jewish substitution for the name of God, he will profit greatly.) But if a person wastes this time on the vanities of this world, he will lose greatly. (The "set price" of the World to Come consists of the good deeds that a person performs in this world.) If a person increases his good deeds, he will buy the World to Come "cheaply." (But if a person diminishes his good deeds, he will buy the World to Come "dearly.")

This parable is comprehensive, covering all the affairs of man in this world and the World to Come. (It is proper for every wise person to contemplate this parable and learn from it the upright path in which to walk.) May the Name, may He be blessed, help us for the sake of His glorious name. Amen, Selah A liturgical conclusion meaning "forever".