Do jews believe in an afterlife?

Answer 1

THe answer is, it depends. Today, the word "Jew" is usually used to refer to people who have a cultural identity of being Jewish. Some of them do and some don't.

Now if you are asking does Judaism teach their is an afterlife, the answer is Yes. And a life after that one. And another Afterlife.

In Judaism the afterlife is complex. For the righteous there is Paradise, with many levels. In the lower levels people languish in spirits that appear like our bodies, and they enjoy rewards similar to those bodies enjoy all in proportion to what G-d feels they deserve. In the upper levels, the particularly righteous, bask in the glow of the presence of G-d.

For the less than righteous there are several options:

Gehinnom: An unpleasent place that is half fire and half ice and filled with avenging angels. Judaism teaches most people get out of here in a year or less and go take reward in Paradise. SOme people are so bad they stay forever. There are very few like this. Interestingly, it is much easier according to Judaism for a Jew to have to stay forever than a non-Jew.

Anhialation: This is when people just get destroyed. This is the most common punishment for non-Jews who were wicked. Certain Jews who neglected certain important commandments not only get destroyed, but the ashes of their souls are scattered beneath the feet of the righteous in Paradise. Big fun.

The Lashes in the Grave: This is when avenging angels whip a person with firey chains while they lie in the grave, or when the person is allowed to feel his body decomposing. It's a punishment for having been overly physically endulgent. More big fun. THe nice thing is that it eventually stops and the person goes on to his reward. I don't think non-Jews get this.

The Hollow of the Sling: This is when a persons soul gets whipped around the world and not allowed to rest. Again, eventually it stops.

Gilgul: This is reincarnation. It can be into an animal, or even plant or inanimate object. Normally it's into a baby. Interestingly, Judaism considers this one the worst punishment besides gehinnom forever.

And after everyone languishes in their reward for good or bad, there is the Resurection of the Dead, where everyone worthy gets to come back and live on Earth in a time when the world is peaceful and everything's nice.

After that comes the World to Come, which is uber Paradise, and all the sages will say about it is, "No eye has seen, nor ear has heard what He hid away for those who loved Him." That's the one everyone is hoping for.

Answer 2

Yes

Answer 3

Yes, I think.

Answer 4

I am proud to be called a Christian Liberal and my answer is:
Not exactly - GBU