Rabbi Mayer TwerskySojourners and Residents

At the beginning of this week's parsha, Hakadosh Baruch Hu, in speaking to Moshe Rabbienu, invokes His promise to give Eretz Yisroel to the avos, Avraham, Yitzchok, and Yaakov. In so doing Hakadosh Baruch Hu refers to Eretz Yisroel as eretz meguraihem, the land of their sojourning. The word meguraihem is related to the word ger, sojourner. Malbim explains that a Jew's ultimate home is not in this physical world, but rather in the spiritual world in spiritual proximity to Hashem. Thus, we are strangers in this world. Eretz Yisroel - eretz meguraihem - is the land most suitable for sojourners because of its inherent sanctity.

The Torah reiterates this point in parsha Behar when it stipulates that "The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is Mine; for you are sojourners and residents with Me" (Vayikra 25:23, Stone ed. translation).

We intuitively sense that one element of being responsible is planning for the future. We disapprovingly shake our heads when we see someone profligately spending without a thought for the future. We have savings accounts, retirement accounts, etc. And, of course, such planning is prudent and thus appropriate. But are we equally prudent in planning for our ultimate future? Do we live with alacrity and industriousness, recognizing the inestimable, incomparable value of time? Do our priorities reflect the fact that we live in eretz meguraihem, that we are only sojourners and residents? Do we prepare for our eternal future?