Gan Eden (Spiritual Heaven)

Yes, Jews believe in an afterlife in a world beyond the one you’re currently living in—sometimes referred to as “heaven.” A rich tradition informs us that there is a sequel to this life that makes sense of everything you’re going through in this installme...

Your soul came into this world to shop. Heaven is one big party, and you’d better arrive dressed in style. Don’t take my word on this. Take the Mishnah. It compares our world to a kind of powder room, where you fancy yourself up before walking into the gr...

The Tree of Life first appears in the Bible in the story of Adam and Eve when they were in the Garden of Eden.

Maimonides contends that the ultimate reward for our good deeds will be in the spiritual Gan Eden ("Paradise"), to be experienced by souls alone. Nachmanides strongly disagrees...

Word resounded throughout the supernal worlds: "Because Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov has forced the hand of heaven to overturn the laws of nature, he has forfeited his portion in the World to Come"

“Suddenly, I saw an angel walking toward me. It blocked my way forward, and began to drag me back out of Gan Eden!”

Rabbi Elazar of Kozhnitz would tell this tale, which illustrates the immense value and spiritual power of even a single mitzvah.

Where Is the Garden of Eden located? Learn the literal as well as esoteric answer to this age-old question.

Judaism speaks of "Paradise" that one enjoys after one's time on earth. The concept of Divine reward is foundational to Jewish belief, and Jewish literature is replete with discussions of "Gan Eden" and the “world to come”. But what exactly is Paradise? W...

Your difficulty is not uncommon. In fact every soul goes through a similar process on its journey to higher worlds.