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Why doesn't the Torah (תורה) explicitly mention Olam Haba if it's our ultimate goal? The Maharal's answer: Torah's purpose is to perfect this world, not the already-perfect World to Come. This means our mitzvos must create real meaning and connection now, not just earn future reward like meaningless busywork.
Rabbi Yeshaya Greenberg ZT"L begins with the Maharal's famous question: why doesn't the Torah (תורה) explicitly mention Olam Haba (the World to Come) when it is seemingly the ultimate purpose of everything? Without Olam Haba, nothing else makes sense, as there would be no eternal meaning or reward for our actions. The Mishna teaches that this world is merely the entrance hall (prozdor) leading to the palace (traklin) of Olam Haba. The Mesilas Yesharim explains that our ultimate pleasure is in Olam Haba, but we must first serve in this world to earn it properly, avoiding the 'bread of embarrassment' (nahama d'kisufa). The Maharal's answer appears shocking: Torah's purpose is not for Olam Haba. Since Olam Haba is already complete (shalem), it needs no perfection. Torah comes to perfect this world (Olam Hazeh), which requires completion. If Olam Haba were mentioned in the Torah, we would mistakenly think Torah's purpose is for the World to Come, when actually Torah's purpose is for this world.
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