Why do Jews believe in life after death?
Many Jews believe in life after death for the following reasons.
- In the classical Jewish tradition there are teachings on life after death. These include the idea that humans have a soul which will one day return to God.
- Other teachings suggest that there will be a future judgment when some will be rewarded and others punished.
- The MishnahLiterally ‘teaching’, the first document of rabbinic Judaism, assumed to have been written down from the oral tradition about AD200. contains recorded debates and judgements that include issues of life after death.
- The Jewish philosopher MaimonidesRabbi Moses ben Maimon (1135 - 1204), a leading Jewish philosopher, medical writer and codifer of Jewish law. outlined Thirteen Principles of Faith for Jews. The 13th principle speaks of a
revival of the dead…when it shall please the Creator
.
Question
Explain what is meant by 'afterlife'.
'Afterlife' refers to the belief in life after death. Many Jews believe that after the death of the physical body, the soul will live on in Heaven or Hell depending on how they lived on Earth.
Question
Describe the Jewish teachings on the afterlife.
Although the Jewish scriptures give very little information about the afterlife, Judaism teaches that death is not the end and that all humans have a soul that will live on into the afterlife. Many Jews believe that when they die, the soul and body will separate and join again on the day of judgement, when God will judge all who lived. The belief is that those who live good lives will be rewarded with eternal life in Heaven, and those who have committed sins will be sent to a place of punishment known as Hell.