Explanation of the Aggadot of the Talmud
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Question
Hello, Regarding Taanit, 15a at the top, what is the difference between light and joy in the World to Come, and what is the difference between the upright and the righteous?
Answer
Peace and blessings
The early commentators wrote that this pertains to the esoteric Torah.
I am quoting for you what the Rashba wrote (commentaries on the Aggadot Taanit 15a). There you can see the depth of the matter:
This is a secret. And light is greater than joy. According to the simple meaning, what is said is not everything is for joy, not for joy alone is it said, meaning that the upright, who are a level below the righteous, merit joy but not the perfection of good, but the righteous, who are complete, merit light, which is the essence of pleasure, and certainly joy, which is the cause of the pleasure of light. The intention is that the righteous merit the essence of pleasures, and the upright, who are on a level below them, merit the degree of good and pleasure, but not all, rather each according to his deeds.
Source
Taanit 15a.