Pirkei Avos opens with the statement כל ישראל יש להם חלק לעולם הבא, all Jews have a portion in the next world. R' Avraham Chaim of Zlotochov is bothered with the use of the word חלק in this context.
Each person has their mitzvos that they are scrupulous in as we see from the gemara that says במאי זהיר טפי, in which way were you especially careful. Because of this each person earns their unique portion in the next world. This is why the term חלק, a portion, is used, to denote his unique portion.
The word חלק, in addition to meaning portion, also means a differentiation and distinction, like the word חילוק, distinction. This is because there is a discernible difference between each person’s allotment in the next world, shaped by their personal actions.
Rabbi Alt merited to learn under the tutelage of R’ Mordechai Friedlander ztz”l for close to five years. He received semicha from R’ Zalman Nechemia Goldberg ztz”l. Rabbi Alt has written on numerous topics for various websites and publications and is the author of six books including the recently released Dazzling Money Insights. His writings, some of which have been translated into Yiddish, Hebrew, German and French, inspire people across the spectrum of Jewish observance to live with the vibrancy and beauty of Torah. He lives with his wife and family in Kiryat Yearim (where the Aron was for 20 years [Shmuel 1, 7:1,2]) where he studies, writes and teaches. The author is passionate about teaching Jews of all levels of observance.
