5) An Interesting Definition of 'Paradise':

We are led to believe that at some point or era in the future everything will be just fine. When that state manifests, we will just sit back and bask in the glow and glory of eternal bliss.

So we all aspire and yearn for such a promised time.

But the Kotzker cautions us not to be overly naive about promises of future paradise.

He says; “Even in Gan Eden (The World to Come), we will not be spared from the (challenges of the) yetzer ha’ra (evil inclination).”[1]

In Kotzk, paradise is not simply passive and eternal reward. 

Rather it is the feeling of accomplishment after successfully dealing with the inevitable challenges of whatever state one finds oneself.

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[1] Amud HaEmet p. 12, par. 6