Why Is There Little Mention of Life After Death in the Bible?

Question:

Does Judaism believe in an afterlife? From what I've read of the Torah it seems that there is no mention of life after death. Is this world all there is?

Answer:

You have hit on one of the most powerful messages of Judaism: there may be many worlds, but this is the one that matters the most.

As you wrote, the Torah doesn't mention life after death. Although it is spoken about in the later prophets, the afterlife is conspicuously absent from the Five Books of Moses.

Having said that, there is certainly an indication that ultimate justice will be done someplace other than this world. A striking example is the story of Cain and Abel.

Cain and Abel bring offerings to G-d; G-d likes Abel's offering but not Cain's; Cain is jealous and kills Abel. End of story. But wait! In one line the Torah says that G-d is happy with Abel, the next minute he is dead! And Cain, who G-d wasn't happy with, walks away! Is this the reward for doing good?

The message is clear: this world is not always fair. But G-d will not remain indebted. Ultimate justice will come later.

So why doesn't the Torah mention the next world? Why is it left to later prophets to describe it?

Because the Torah is about this world, not the next. While other religions dangle exciting promises of what lies in store for the righteous in paradise, even giving vivid descriptions of who awaits you there and interesting facts about their biology, Judaism doesn't see this as a valid motive for doing good. G-d wants us to do good because it is good.

There is another lifetime in which the righteous will be rewarded, and the wicked punished - we believe that, the prophets spoke about it. But that is G-d's business. We have to concern ourselves with this lifetime. Our mission is to do good, fight evil, and make this a safe and comfortable world - a place where both G-d and man can feel at home.

Without belief in an afterlife, there is no justice. The Cains of this world can get away with murder. But by over-emphasizing the importance of the afterlife over this life, we run the risk of belittling the sanctity and preciousness of life itself.

Judaism has a different approach: Better leave the next world to G-d; meanwhile let's work on this world. Starting with ourselves.

By Aron Moss

Rabbi Aron Moss teaches Kabbalah, Talmud and practical Judaism in Sydney, Australia, and is a frequent contributor to Chabad.org.

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June 8, 2012

Amazing wisdom

I have read several of the articles on chabad.org. My Conclusion: You folks truly posses no ordinary wisdom.

Anonymous
Singapore, Singapore

March 18, 2011

No afterlife, just life everlasting

I've thought about this before, and it kind of ties in with mysticism - there is no "after life", but only life everlasting - there can be no breaks in this. Something is either alive or it is dead. So in the story of Adam and Eve, there would be no talk of an "after life" because there was life everlasting. Now, when death is factored in, then we have threats to this life everlasting; death of the body is a sign of this potentiality, it signifies the spiritual death we can also undergo if we're not obedient to God and love HIm fully. So I think of an afterlife as the continuing of life everlasting or, in the idea of a final judgment, of some people opting out or being judged to not be good enough to continue with life everlasting.

PJ
Erie, United States

September 12, 2010

Re: after death verses in bible

The concept of life after death is articulated in the Bible - Ecclesiastes 12:7: "And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to G-d, who gave it. "

For an in-depth explanation on the Jewish view of the after-life, see What Happens After We Die?

Yehuda Shurpin for Chabad.org

September 6, 2010

after death verses in bible

i saw a documentry that says there are verses in bible that say there is no life after death. how can i find and read these verses. is jeremiah one. or can they be found in the writings that were not allowed in the bible... where is the description of what happens after death.

manny
tampa , fl

January 4, 2010

Eternity

I think an important aspect is missed. Eternity is forever and that is a long time. This life is just a breath. It is no less important but when you compare it to eternity, come on. I agree without belief in G-d there is no hope and without belief in eternity there is no justice.
You mention it is better to work on this world and leave the next world to G-d. This is where you get it wrong. Not that we can buy our way into heaven, but by having G-d in your heart, you will naturally do good things for others and I believe that will be rewarded. All cups are full, some are bigger than others.

Shawn Doniger
Groton, CT

January 4, 2010

To Jake

I think the 'after life' discussion that has taken place since time immemorial has its roots in real experiences that people have. That is why there is so much about it in human writings all through the centuries in every culture: philosophies, religions, shamanism, parapsychology and recently, science (a cardiologist researched his patients 'out-of-body' and near-death experiences and found that their experiences follow definite similar patterns). The thought I was trying to point out was what Judaism makes of all this is significantly different then other spiritual paths. Judaism agrees that there are planes of existence other than our human material plane, that are not bound by time and space. But how we prioritize the importance of this in human life and psychology is more important than the fact that 'we are not alone'. Yes,there are more subtle forms of life- ie angels, reincarnation etc, but we have our spiritual work to do here in the material world as laid out in the Torah.

Judith
Fairfield, USA

January 3, 2010

Good Question

Good question and a great answer.

Andre Ranulfo Souza
Aracaju, Brazil

January 1, 2010

The after life

Varies grounds have been given for a life after we have died. However it is unclear how this idea evolved nor do we see premises that can be logically defended unless we could be sure that morality is more then just a darwinian evolved response to societal rules and self-preservation

Jake Loepp
Dawson Creek, BC-Canada

January 1, 2010

Another World....

There are numerous mentions of another world in the Chumash. Just to name a few, Enoch was righteous and G-d takes him physically, he did not die...Avraham Avienu, visited by angels, the Zohar tells us the story of the visit by three angels and clarifies the incident...Yakov Aveinu, wrestles with an angel of Eisov and is triumphant...That does mention or at least hints to a World to Come...Hope that helps.

Melech b'n Arieh
Newtown, PA

December 31, 2009

Jewish vs Xtian morality

The Xtian perspective on 'grace' is reflected in the Torah's POV that ultimately, this is Gd's world, and Gd is the only one in control. Even though He allows humans the freedom to make choices, to make mistakes and to learn from these mistakes, it is like the way a parent watches over their children from a distance:because we love our children, we back off and give them the space and freedom they need to define themselves in their own way, in their own time learning that only making themselves in the image of their divine spark is their Godliness, and salvation. My understanding is that in the Kaballah, G-d's allowing Creation freedom is called 'tzimtzum'. The concept of 'grace' vs earning 'rewards' is, I believe, a subtle misunderstanding that Xtians have because they don't get the dynamics between 'free will' and G-d's omnipotence and our very real relationship with Him. I would like to read more about this conundrum for further clarity. Thank you for your response.

Judith
Fairfield, USA

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