Do Jews Believe in an Afterlife?

By Tzvi Freeman

Answer:

There isn't anything after life, because life never ends. It just goes higher and higher. The soul is liberated from the body and returns closer to her source than ever before.

The Torah assumes this in its language many times -- describing Abraham's death, for example, as going to rest with his fathers and similar phrases. The Talmud discusses the experiences of several people who made the trip there and back. Classic Jewish works such as Maavor Yabok describe the process of entering the higher world of life as a reflection of the soul's experiences while within the body: If the soul has become entrenched in material pleasures, she experiences the pain of ripping herself away from them so that she can experience the infinitely higher pleasure of basking in G-dly light. If she is soiled and injured by acts that sundered her from her true self while below, then she must be cleansed and healed.

On the other hand, the good deeds and wisdom she has gained on her mission below serve as a protection for her journey upwards. You want a real good spacesuit to make this trip.

The Zohar tells us that if it were not for the intercession of the pure souls above, our world could not endure for even a moment. Each of our lives is strongly impacted by the work of our ancestors in that other world. Grandma's still watching over you.

Why should souls basking in divine light above be at all concerned about what's happening in your mundane life below? Because, there they feel the truth that is so easy to overlook while down here: that this lowly, material world is the center-stage of G-d's purpose in creating all that exists.

That is also why, at the final resolution, all souls will return to physical bodies in this world.

11 Comments Posted

By Tzvi Freeman More articles... |

Rabbi Tzvi Freeman heads Chabad.org's Ask The Rabbi team, and is a senior member of the Chabad.org editorial team. He is the author of a number of highly original renditions of Kabbalah and Chassidic teaching, including the universally acclaimed "Bringing Heaven Down to Earth." To order Tzvi's books click here.

Illustration by Chassidic artist Michoel Muchnik; click here to view or purchase Mr. Muchnik's art.

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Posted: Aug 15, 2007

Proof of Afterlife

I've been reading Bavli Sanhedrin Chapter 11, which supposedly deals with proof of the World to Come and of the resurrection. The Mishnah says all Israel has a place in the World to Come, but "he who says, the resurrection of the dead...does not derive from Torah...." has no portion in the World to come. The Bavli then offers "proofs" from the Torah of the resurrection, and these so-called proofs are SO absolutely unconvincing.

NOW what do I do? Are there any better proofs based on the Tanach?

I would like to be convinced. Is there any help for me? Please?

And what about the possibly millions of other Jews, many of whom even practice the mitzvot (like me) but who are not sure of any such thing as World to Come or of resurrection?

Meanwhile, all the nonJews need to do is to be "righteous"--ie to follow the 7 Laws of Noah. They don't have to believe in the resurrection. But THEY ALL have a place in the world to come anyway.

Posted By Ann, Houston, Tx

Posted: July 29, 2007

GIVE ME MORE, PLEASE!!

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!!:

this lowly, material world is the center-stage of G-d's purpose in creating all that exists.

Explain!!

What exactly IS that "purpose" that you mean?!!

I mean, I don't understand.... Actually, I've heard that before--that it is so important--our life down here on earth, but I don't know why? If heaven's so much better, or, if there never had to be sin? Why?

Why do it this way?!!

I seem to wonder....EVERY DAY..... lately!!

Posted By ANDREA YAMAMOTO, KAKEGAWA, JAPAN

Posted: Apr 23, 2007

RE: resurrection and organ donation

Although some view post-mortem organ donation to be at odds with the belief in resurrection, there are instances where it would be permitted provided that the rest of the body is buried. The basic issue with organ donation is the desecration of the dead, delaying the burial, and benefiting from the dead body. However, saving a life takes precedence over all other concerns.

The problem is that very often the donated organ is not used directly to save a life in imminent danger. In the case where it is certain that the organ is to be used directly to save a life and the danger is imminent, many authorities permit harvesting of the dead person's organ.

However, for research alone, the halacha does not permit us to desecrate the dead for a possible advancement in the knowledge of a medical student.

Posted By Tzvi Freeman (Author)