'OLAM HA-ZE

(Hebrew: this world), in Jewish theology, present life on earth, as opposed to 'olam ha-ba (the world to come). Though 'olam ha-ze is full of misery and injustice, one's view of life is transformed by realizingas the Mishna (code of Jewish law) explainsthat this life is but an antechamber where one prepares oneself to be admitted to the banquet hall that is the world to come.