Shortly before the Gaon of Vilna’s passing, he gathered his tzitzis in his hands and began to cry. “Why are you crying?” his students asked. “Here on earth,” he responded, “we have unlimited opportunity for growth. For the minimal task of placing a four-cornered garment with tzitzis upon ourselves each morning, we will be rewarded immeasurably for having fulfilled mitzvos every second of the day.

I am about to depart for a world where I will no longer be rewarded for my actions.”