Hell

     Recently, an insensitive internet personality announced that a Jewish soldier who died in the service of the Jewish people but was not Torah Observant will "Go to Hell when he dies".

     Obviously, his statement drew a lot of loud responses which is exactly why he said it. Some people think that any kind of attention furthers their goal, so these people often go out of their way to say outrageously shocking, rude things.

     That having been said, what is the truth about this IDF soldier who gave up his very life to protect his fellow Jews?

     All of us go through life gathering merits and incurring debts. The debts do not offset the merits, and the merits do not offset the debts. This is the case if we do not turn from those inappropriate actions. But if we turn from such behavior and settle the account then that Debt has been paid and no longer brings negative repercussions. In fact, when we repent from a sin we are judged as if we did that sin by accident… and if we turn from it towards Hashem with love, then that negative deed will be looked upon as if it was a good deed since it brought us to such repentance.

     Virtually every Jew, except the entirely righteous tsaddik (righteous) will receive embarrassment for inappropriate deeds, this is called hell, and then will go on to receive great joy… this is called Heaven, for the good things they were able to do while they were here in this world.

    In this world, "…all is vanity except for the pure soul which is destined to give an accounting before the Throne of Your Glory."