 | Where do we go? What is heaven and hell? Do we ever get sent back for a second life? Is there any way to make contact with a departed loved one?
57 Comments Posted
I am thanking G-d from the bottom of my heart for having guided me to your website. My entire life was riddled with unanswered questions until all those questions were answered at ONCE in all your articles.
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I hope; I am not the only one who is bothered by this question.
It is a great article, but it does not explicitly answer question below. I will greatly appreciate if authors of the article can elaborate and explain it more:
I do not think anyone who accepted Torah, would question steps of the soul’s journey that you describe in the article.
But, my soul and “I” are not ‘exactly’ the same. “I” is “Nefesh Habagames” that dies with the body. Is it correct? Soul on the other hand: is “Nefesh Alokis” that continue leaving?
So, at the first glance, it may appear, that everything you spoke in the article is “Nefesh Alokis” related, and when you speak about “after the death … WE will…” etc. “we” is not the best term to use, because “we” is “Nefesh Habagames”, so, you should say: “Our soul will…” etc.
I will appreciate a lot, if you will clarify my confusion.
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Great article Answered many Qs, but I still have a question.
It is said that Olam Haba will be a place were a body and Neshama will reconcile however the question i have is which body is that. Since the notion Gilgulim means that a soul can have a few bodies it will be with, which body will it reconcile with in the world to come?
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Hello Rabbi great article, I would just like you to clarify a few areas to make the article more complete.
First, what does the soul do after reviewing its life? Does it do this for eternity, does it do this in Heaven? Also if all the souls leave Gehinnom, then what is the purpose of Teshuvah, can you elaborate on the different levels of Heaven, what goes on there, etc..
Second, in the World To Come, from where will the mind of our physical bodies be derived: the soul prior to death, the soul after living in heaven, the memories of previous lives we've had, etc?
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Thanks for such a conphrehensive and understandable explanation of Judaic thought re afterlife. It has been such a confusing noninformative mish-mash in the past for me to get a conprehensive view that hits home and 'feels right.'
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To Yosef in St Paul,
I asked my Rabbi the same question and got an answer that was both easy and difficult to comprehend, because it deals with the concept of infinity. Here is how I understood it, for what it's worth:
The basic premise is that, because the soul comes from Hashem, it is also infinite. A portion of something infinite is also infinite.
A portion of the infinite soul is involved in the gilgul, but it itself is whole because of its inherent "infiniteness". Therefore, all incarnations are available for resurrection.
This, of course, begs a number of further questions/difficulties. Does the gilgul neshama return and reincorporate with the portion of the neshama remaining in Gan Eden, so that the "complete" soul can gain the reward/punishment for the experiences of the gilgul? Then there is the difficulty of multiple bodies, in Haolam Haba, sharing, essentially, the same soul (maybe identical souls derived from the same root, just as all souls derive from Hashem?)
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In footnote #18, you bring the verse from Ecclesiastes 12:1: "There will come years of which you will say: I have no desire in them," referring to--as the Talmud points out--the Messianic Era, in which there is neither merit nor obligation" (Shabbat 151b). My question is, why would we want then such an Era to come? It looks as a time of complete boredom, tasteless life. Days that "I have no desire in them" are days that I wouldn't want them to come. Then, why should we arouse any kind of desire for the Messianic Era to come?
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I know that Torah knowledge is taken by the soul to Gan Eden, but what happens with all the SECULAR knowledge that was accumulated during lifetime? Do we lose it? Do we use it on a new plane? To make the question more concrete, let's say someone accumulates great secular knowledge on naval engineering, does he will take it with him after death?
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How do you clean your soul to make sure you do not go to Gehinnom?
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Student and Yosef bring up powerful points. I To would like the answers to these questions. This Baal Tsuvah just turned 50 in May ( 6 Sivan). This site is a favorite. The more Torah, the more thirst FOR Torah! A blessing to Kol Yisroel, and to everybody, please accept my apology for any offense I may have comitted, as it says inthe Al Heyt, in 5765. Thank you all very much.
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"So even the most wicked of souls, say our sages, experiences, at most, twelve months of gehinom, followed by an eternity of heaven."
What makes you think "time" in non-Earthly realms are measured in the same way they are on Earth?
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I am currently undergoing post operative treatment for breast, I am ashamed to say that my education falls short when it comes to even the most elementary beliefs of my religion. I found the article instructive and easy to read, and am looking forward to closer examination in the near future. I would greatly appreciate information on the location and telephone # of the nearest Chabad House....
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I do not like the thought of gilgul nefesh (reincarnation of the soul). All the other things you wrote, I learned during the last two years, because my loved husband died while we were on holiday. Since I know he is with G-d, I have the feeling, every time I pray, he is nearer to me too.
But I would hate it, to die and my soul could not find him, because he is busy in some other body. After marriage we became o n e .
Therefore Gan Eden would not be Heaven for me without him. I want to be one with him forever!!! And together with him I will stand in
the shining light of G-d's face. So I hope there will be no reincarnation for him or for me. Or at least, this life we lived was our last one in this world.
May we all meet in the World to Come!
Thanks for your writing all this!!!
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i can see most of the passages reffer only to jews, but what about none jews.
and also what about people that follow other religions like islam hindism and christianity, and live a realy good live doing good deeds and having the fear of God? what happens to tehm
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I definitely believe the soul of the departed watches over and can even intervene on behalf of their loved ones up with the Divine. My son who was born on my Aunt's birthday in the same hospital she died on and whom I had always planned to name a child after, is living proof that my Aunt, my mom's sister who was like a second mother to me watched over this whole thing and my son was born 6 weeks early weighing full weight in the same hospital she died in a few years before. She never had children in her lifetime and she always said I was her favorite niece. During my pregnancy she was in two dreams and told me to "hurry up and buy baby shoes". I believe her sould had her hand in this one.
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if the soul comes back because of unfinished business, whose body does it come back into? body one, body 2 etc.? perhaps the soul is like a shadow, it has to match the same body? does it means bodies/features repeat themselves over and over to match the born again soul? then what happens to genetics? do parents match children in bodies and soul?
thanks-and by the way, how can you have answers to such questions?
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All of these matters have been discussed at length in classic Jewish works, for example "Shaar Hagmul" of Nachmanides (discussing resurrection), Sefer Hagilgulim by Rabbi Chayim Vital (presenting teachings of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria concerning reincarnation) and even in modern works, including several letters of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
You can read the entire Sefer Hagilgulim at kabbalaOnLine.com . There's lots more information there on the subject for even more questions.
Even better: I'll bet your local Chabad House has a class on Jewish mysticism. Attend one and bring these questions up. Perhaps the rabbi will be willing to spend a class on the topic--or bring a speaker who has more expertise in the field.
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As a devoted Christian i do not believe in reincarnation- i believe the Hindus believe it as well. If it is possible will somebody give me scripture to substantiate this strange believe.
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If I remember correctly, that is the Hebrew-English transliteration for the phrase-'strange belief'.
Louis, it is not a mitzvah for Jews to believe in reincarnation. There are Jews who don't believe in reincarnation. That is okay, too, and is not considered strange.
Perhaps one of the Rabbis here can answer your question more precisely, but I will venture that the account of Yaakov dreaming of the angels ascending and descending the ladder to Gan Eden in Bereshith (Genesis) lends itself to speculation as whether G-d promotes reincarnation of certain souls; souls that are sent back down the ladder, sort of speak, to the earthly realm, to complete a purpose of some sort, or to work for a certain goal on behalf of G-d. I would suppose that such speculation is especially okay if it encouraged further study of the Torah.
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In response to student, the Tzemach Tzedek in a Maamor brought in Kitsurim Vehooros on Tanya explains to the contrary that the Nefesh Hubehamis lives on and receives the main punishments(for the Nefesh Elokis since it is G-dly the fire of Gehinnom doesn't directly affect it)see there for more insight on the subject.
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Love as many people as possible! You are now living one life (one cell) - Whe you die your cell will be living in everyone that you touched . Therefore, if these people have loving thoughts about you that will be your heaven. If people have the opposite of loving thoughts about you - Well, that would be your hell. We all get back in our infinite life exactly what we deserve!
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Doctrines are doctrines and reality is reality. I 4 one don't c a place or time 4 hell or purgatory in infinity/heaven , which is spaceless/timeless. How can division occur in such unity? Real division is btw infinity and the finite physical world (universe). That leaves us with our existence as hell , populated by real-time fiends e.g evil-inclined beings, noxious bbeasts, pathogens etc. Suffering and death results, which should be enough punishment for sin of physicality. Re-incarnation becomes necessary for great souls to circumvent physical and time constrains in orderto fulfill G-d -given mandates
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I lost my 42 year old son recently by sudden cardiac death. He was religiously observant and a student, never ill in his life and a wonderful son, father, husband and brother - he has been recognized multipally for his "works" here on earth. The above article has answered MANY of my questions and quieted some of my desperate grief. Thank you
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Surely the soul is not a physical entity in the sense that we enjoy in this world. So how can it experience pleasure from its bodiy's previous good experiences and mitzvot or pain from the body's neglect of performing these acts or from going against the will of Gd?
Even in that world there must be some kind of logic and to claim the existance of feelings of pleasure or pain implies that the substance that experience them must have some corporal properties too. I am concerned with providing explanations about the soul that fit logical situations no matter how strange they may be to our present means of understanding.
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I would like to thank the authors for an enlightening article, it has answered many questions of mine.
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this has opened my eyes to the truth and thank you
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I am a Noahide since 2006 whos was raised as x-ian. The things I have read in this article are new to me and also very comforting. I was in a pentecostal church and alway heard when you do this an that you will burn in hell forver. This article halps me to think of HaShem as truly just, kind and merciful! As a x-ian I thougt (secretly) that G-d was unjust and harsh.... How wrong I was!!! So again thank you for this article!!!!!
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This is the best description of the World to come i have seen in print, of course my vision of the world to come is one filled with Rainbows, Universal proclamation of Yod Hey Vav Hey, and a complete acceptance of the Torah, with miracles beyond any person's wildest imagination. BeEmet.
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I feel our physical bodies are returned in their basic chemical/electrical components to the table of the elements. This gives G-d infinite posibilities, not two bodies period, in moving us toward the Messianic Age. In acts of Tikun Olam, we are blessed with new ideas, finding cures, brokering peace, acting as Messiahs guided by our Creator's hand. Because the world is based on diversity, and being the daughter of two Shoa survivors, I embrace pan-Judaism, and know that everlasting peace is truly the right choice for all people, regardless of race, religion, indiginous geographic location, or location on the bell curve of humanity. One can be great musician wherever we are, here or in the world to come, and we will forever seek this - eternal love and life cannot be perfectly defined. I embrace the question, and cherish all answers that hold on to the good.
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Thank you for such clear and wonderful explanation... My eyes clouded with tears when I read of the reincarnation of souls, coming to finish your mission, and people who focus on one specific task (that which "completes their mission") because I've felt that I have a "mission" to fulfill and never before was I able to find an explanation for that feeling. Until now. It is quite powerful. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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My husband found this article and sent it to me. I recently lost my friend and have been very troubled wondering what happened to him when he passed. Reading this has given me some direction. Thank you barry for caring.
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Just a question:
The Rebbe writes that Gan Eden is a reward for Torah learnt and Tichayas Hamasim (the resurrection) is for Mitzvot.
How does this make sense with what youre saying that Gan Eden is the whole reward, or "reality" for actions done?
Thanks
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And what about non-Jews who didn't follow the Seven Laws of Noach, they have no place in the World to Come, what will happen to them? Annihilation or will they stay forever in the Gehinnom?
Me thinks it is most unfair that a gentile soul should be annihilated or damned for the same sin where a Jew would be cleansed in the Gehinnom and then admitted in the World to Come.
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May all the innocent victims from the Chabad House and now in Gan Eden rest in peace.
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The body is composed of fire, wind, water, and soil. When a person dies, the body goes to the ground, the water evaporates, the soul returns to the creator, and the spirit is free. Before a person is born, and after he or she dies, we become in the image of G-D who is made of fire (spirit or energy) and wind (soul). There is an end for a body, but not for life. Life is eternal. A dead body still carries the DNA, and therefore, no body should be cremated or destroyed. The remains of the bones will bring life back at the end of times.
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Gehinom is clearly stated to exist for non-Jews, so the dynamic seems to be the same.
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Birth and death is a natural phenomena of nature. Because all living things are made up of particles (electrons, protons, etc.) and every particle has different energy level. Once the energy level has changed then some changes occur and we give name to these changes Birth & Death.
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Wow. This is mind-blowing - the most amazing exposition of what life means, and what the afterlife means. Pure spiritual gold. The truth and beauty of it are confirmed by, as per the article, that 'soulish' recognition. Thank you for putting this together and making it available to whoever wants and needs to find it.
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Although I'm not jewish this article has brougt all my inner beliefs and feelings to the surface. Death once scared me and as I've grown and lost I've learned to embrace it and see it as something so beautiful. Most religions paint life so black and white (trying to scare its followers into a life that's holly) you gave me the answers I already felt deep within. Thank you
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wow! this is what i have always believed in my heart! i have never seen it written any where but here! i am so pleased that after years of struggling with Christianity and not feeling like i belonged i can now be apart of something that is bigger then me and my little world! Judaism is traditions and love and i am happy to be involved!
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It just make so much sense, especially the part that we have the knowledge in our hard drive placed in there by our creator. How else we know so much and everyone knows wrong from right.
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The most rational expression among all of the article and comments here is by Catherine, who asked: " ...how can you have answers to such questions?" Indeed! A little humility, please. "Vas you dere, Charlie?"
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This too is what has always felt familiar to me, but I am still learning and I think I always will be. My question is though this. Which body will we be reunited too? If we are reincarnated? I mean I want to be with my family I am with now...or at least I think I do. Please explain if you can.
Thank You,
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Reincarnation (or gilgul, in Hebrew) means the same soul, or at least a spark of that soul, ends up in a different body. You are there with no conscious memory of your past life, but your soul nevertheless carries with it the accumulated spiritual treasures of its past.
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Thank you for posting this article. It really helped me understand better some questions that have bothered me ever since I was a child. I still wish that I could know more about how non-Jewish souls interact with Jewish souls. As I am a convert, I had non-Jewish grandparents who were very good people, who believed in G_d, and whom I loved. Can I help them in some way now that they have passed away? Can we meet in the afterlife too? Is it true that righteous non-Jews are ressurected? I know so many deeply religious non-Jews, and I wonder --what about them? I know that it is not necessary in any way that non-Jews convert, but still, what does G_d want for them? What does G_d provide for them in the afterlife?
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Of course there are good people who are not Jewish. Every human being carries with him or her the image of G-d and has that potential to do tremendous good. The Talmud states that the "righteous among the nations have a share in the world to come." They are referring to the times of Moshiach and the resurrection.
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pretty amazing! I was aware of a few things, but all in all it was very understanding and comforting, there's just so many questions regarding life after death, so live life for now and replenish the goodness in death. that's how our loved ones would want us to live, and be happy around the ones we love today, we owe it to ourselves...thanks for the post!..
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Life is light, happiness, and powerful.
Physical pain is a discomfort for the body, and it can be cured with poisonous drugs.
A broken spirit is a fatal disease, and cannot be revived unless a rescue team interveins on time. Keep your spirit high, and that would give you life. A radio or a TV you can turn on and off, but when we turn off our spirit, it stays damaged for life.
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Thank you Rabbi Tzvi Freeman for sharing your knowledge with all of us. It is truly enlightening to read explanations from a learned source with the ability to put it into laymans terms for all to understand. I also had the thoughts of which body will one return to? Maybe the most completed, if there was more than one opportunity? but you seem to have explained it to another commentator with a similar question.
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Life is beautiful if we follow the rule of nature... godliness with great contentment is a great gain, life is sweet when we abide by the commandment of its founder. death can only be temperary if we believe the Holy scripture and follow the foot steps and the reality of mandate we can flow to supernatural being.
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Too much words to a simple matter.
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I'm confused about the reincarnation part. How are we supposed to know if we fulfilled our mission or not? Is it possible to be reincarnated more than once? What if I'm on my 10th life already because I still haven't accomplished my mission? I'm just very confused on the whole reincarnation thing. It's just something I've never even heard about before.
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Thank you for the article. I hope I don't have to come back and go through the entire process again. If so, then I will do my best the next time.
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For profound answers to the questions raised here, I would recommend R. Moshe Chaim Luzzato ("Ramchal"), Derech Ha-Shem, The Way of God, trans. by Aryeh Kaplan (z"l), and still in print. He sought in this book to summarise the teachings of traditional Judaism on the most basic issues.
Ramchal explains that living in a body gives a soul ways of relating to the world it would not otherwise have. Its task is to use this to raise the sense world into the spiritual, interpenetrating both with God and completing Creation. This is the purpose of humanity. Every deed of love and holiness opens a new window to reality, enabling the soul to sense God's presence in this specific way and context. These become eternal possessions. Even after death these remain. This means that there are many levels and modes of the after-life. Non-Jews can also experience godliness, and thus eternity. In fact, very few people will not enjoy an eternal after-life, Ramchal tells us (p. 99: II,2:4).
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Hey guys! That was the best info I ever got from a search about this topic. This is so awesome!
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