What does this mean?

Up in the World of Truth, the neshamah recognizes the stunning impact of a single mitzvah in a way we in this world can’t fully appreciate – and, as a result, thirsts desperately for any additional merits it can accrue.  How can a deceased soul possibly earn more mitzvos?  Through the concept of “le’iluy nishmas.”

Any mitzvah that we perform in the memory of a departed individual is credited to the deceased’s Heavenly account.  This is particularly true when the mitzvah is done by one of the deceased’s offspring.  We are taught that Torah study is the most potent of all mitzvos – and that the Torah learned by a person’s descendants elevates his or her soul even more than their recital of Kaddish or leading the synagogue services.

Ideally, then, this powerful Torah study would be done by the deceased’s offspring themselves. However, often, for whatever reason, the family is unable to complete the Mishnayos learning on their own.  That is where Mishnas Olam comes in.

The idea behind Mishnas Olam is not a new one; it is deeply rooted in our tradition and history. Throughout the ages, Torah giants as well as regular laymen would ask for talmidei chachamim to be paid to learn Torah in their merit after they passed away.  Mishnas Olam simply makes this task easier, by providing a preselected group of Torah scholars who are ready and available to serve the many families in need of such zechuyos.