The Netziv and the Man Who Sold His Olam Haba
A man jokingly sells his share in Olam Haba for a ruble and then wants it back; the Netziv rules the sale is void, since the reward for mitzvos cannot be sold.
The story is related that a Jew, who had only five rubles to his name, was in dire need of a large sum of money for his daughter’s upcoming marriage. He went to his Rebbe for advice. The Rebbe advised him to invest in the first business deal that he encounters. The chassid left for home with a happy heart.
On the way home, he stopped at an inn, where he met a group of businessmen. One of them, seeing an opportunity to have some fun, asked the chassid if he was interested in a business opportunity. The businessman said he was willing to sell his portion in Olam Habah, the World to Come, for one ruble. The chassid quickly offered a ruble and paid for the fellow’s “share” in Olam Habah.
The businessman returned home and related to his wife the hysterical news that he had sold his Olam Habah to a foolish Jew for one ruble. She became irate. “How could you do such a stupid thing? I will not live one more minute with a man who has no Olam Habah. You’re not welcome home until you get your Olam Habah back!”
The fellow went in search of the chassid to demand that the sale be nullified. The chassid refused to negotiate and said that he would only sell back the man’s share in Olam Habah for the 5,000 rubles that he needs to make his daughter’s wedding. Incensed, the fellow began to yell.