Geulah The Gift of Life

The Midrash teaches that because the soul is breathed into a person’s body, as the Torah records regarding Adam—“He blew into his nostrils the spirit of life”—the person eventually dies. For one who forcefully exhales intends to subsequently draw back his breath. Thus, the verse states, “The spirit will return to G-d.”

In the future, by contrast, the soul will be placed, not breathed, as stated in Yechezkel, “I will put My spirit into you, and you will live” (37:14). One who gives an item as a gift does not intend to retrieve it. Thus, the future era will be one of eternal life.

Midrash Rabbah
Yalkut Moshiach uGeulah al HaTorah
Translated by Yaakov Paley