What is the Jewish belief regarding Heaven?

Question

I know that according to Christian beliefs Jesus had to die to open the gates of Heaven. But since Jews don't believe that Jesus was the Messiah, do they think that the gates of Heaven are locked? Or do they have a completely separate view of the afterlife? Any other information on basic Jewish beliefs would also be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

see... the jewish messiah was never supposed to be god incarnate, a sacrifice, or any more divine than regular people...

the NEED for jesus as what christianity believes he was... was invented by christianity.

and its not that judaism believes theres no heaven as such, but simply has almost no doctrine to speak of in reference to the afterlife.

>>"My question ......for which I have no one to ever answer......is if the Jews of the old testament did not believe in an after life then what does the Old Testament mean by referring to the Lord;s Salvation so many times."<<

you misunderstand... the little reference there is in the OT generally is about "The time to come"

I think most in an "origin" sense, the "salvation" would be that God would not abandon us, (our awareness, soul,... ect) to remain in our dead body rotting in the ground. (Sheol is one of the words frequently misunderstood as "hell" which really just means "Grave")

but bottom line is almost no dogma/doctrine to speak of, and people's beliefs span from simply "sleeping" from death til the coming of the messiah, to an immediate heaven... to even Reincarnation. (Reincarnation is allowed for by jewish belief, and even some spiritual paths its a given)

Answer 2

Most Jews have "a belief" in an afterlife.

Whether or not it is "Heaven" or "Hell" as it is defined by so many in the Christian tradition and even in the Jewish tradition.

Some Jewish thinkers suggest that "Jews are not in Heaven but rather Heaven is in the Jews." Others speak of Heaven as a heavenly academy in which Jews are engaged in study of the tradition. Others propose that Heaven is described as a place where everyone has their left arm strapped to their side and each feeds their neighbor with the right hand - thus all are fed and Hell would be a place where no one feeds or cares for others.

I for one opt for a very spiritual afterlife that defies my ability to describe, and hence I concentrate on contributing to making this life and this world as good for all as possible. If such a lifestyle is worthy of "Heaven" then so be it.

Answer 3

You have asked an excellent question that I readily admit I do not know the answer to. I am reluctant to try to explain other religions because I do not want to unintentionally misstate anything.

Apparently many Jewish groups do not believe in an after life. And we know for sure in Jesus' day that was the case although a small minority did believe in an after life. Since most of the Jews of Jesus' time did not believe in an after life the Gates of Heaven is really a moot point.

Now that raises a very interesting question. The Old Testatment is full of references to salvation. My question ......for which I have no one to ever answer......is if the Jews of the old testament did not believe in an after life then what does the Old Testament mean by referring to the Lord;s Salvation so many times.

Answer 4

have you ever observed that there is a contradiction between 2 of your ideals? in case you suspect the Bible is quite authentic and devoid of errors, then how are you able to suspect the eucharist to be no greater suitable than symbolic? In John 6:fifty two-9, Jesus reported 'quite' that we ought to eat his flesh and drink his blood. on the final supper, he reported 'it is...', no longer 'this symbolises...'. And in a million Cor 10, St Paul describes the eucharist as a 'participation' in Christ's physique and blood, and attracts a assessment with the ingesting of sacrificial animals. All of those passages, taken actually, point out that the bread and wine quite are the physique and blood of Christ. additionally, on the subject of your grievance of the Catholic church, could I propose you examine Acts 15, and pay particular interest to fifteen:25. Having met to make certain a doctrinal subject, the apostles issued a letter wherein they reported 'It appeared solid to the Holy Spirit, and to us ...' In different words, their decision replaced into no longer in basic terms a random opinion of a team of adult males, yet replaced into divinely inspired. The Catholic church knows that the comparable proposal is at artwork each time the church makes a acceptable assertion on faith or morals. it is not being presumptuous or blasphemous, yet excercising the right authority which God has given it.

Answer 5

As a side note to what everyone else has already said, there's actually very little discussion of the afterlife in the Torah. This life, really, is considered more important.

Answer 6

G-d judges us, and we either get rewarded or punished appropriatly.