Question for any jewish people?

Question

What do you believe happens to you when you die besides sheol. Is there also a heaven type place, or do you have to wait for a savior to get all the souls out of sheol? I'm pretty ignornat about the jewish religion, b/c where i live there aren't many jews.This question is for jewish beliefs not what christians think will happen to jews as far as their religion is concerned.

I hope that the word "jew" isn't derogatory, b/c if it is i didn't mean it that way. Didn't know how else to refer to the Jewish.

Answer 1

The term Jew isn't offensive, don't worry, and thank you for being so considerate. :-) Just note that we're not just "the Jewish" we're Jewish people. Sorry, I'm just picky on that point, but don't worry about it.

That said, of course, opinions will differ between Jews. We have a saying--"two Jews, three opinions!" But the general theme is this:

After one dies, one goes to Gehenna for a certain amount of time (depending on your wrongs in your lifetime.) The maximum amount of time you can stay there is 12 months (you have to be really bad to stay there 12 months) before you go on to Olam HaBah (lit. The World to Come) which is a heaven-type place--it's basically just existence closer to G-d.

There are varying opinions, but most follow the above "story." Judaism does not place much emphasis on the afterlife, so not too many Jews worry about it. We're more for living here and now.

Peace, and thank you for a good question.

Answer 2

That's not an easy question to answer. There are definitely afterlife-like ideas of sheol and gehenna in some parts of Judaism. There's also a very strong idea of reincarnation, especially in the mystical layers.

Bottom line though, most Jews realize that this is the sort of question we can't possibly answer here and now. The focus is on living ethically today. The most certain idea of 'afterlife' is that we be remembered by those who knew us -- 'may his/her memory be for a blessing'.

Prayers are said for a close relation for eleven months after the death. Tradition is that the soul is in a sort of limbo, atoning for sins. The prayers are 'merits' for the deceased, sort of like good character references at a parole hearing and help to reduce the time of atonement. Because the longest period of this limbo is one year -- and you don't want to assume your parents were the worst possible people -- the prayers are said for eleven months.

A lot of Jews don't believe in the literalness of that scenario, but appreciate the psychology of the timing. There is a period of intense mourning, a month of slowly stepping back into society, and then the eleven months of continuing to process the emotions.

In short, it's 'salvation by generation,' being remembered by those who come after, with some other sorts of after life ideas borrowed and cast in a Jewish light. Jews are all along that spectrum.

Add in the multitude of interpretations of Moshiach and it starts to get really complicated. ;-)

Answer 3

It really depends on the branch of Judaism. The predominant views are that you go to Heaven at death or that you sleep until a resurrection of the righteous. (Again, depending on the branch "righteous" may either refer to those who adhere strictly to the Torah and traditions of Judaism OR those who are simply "good" people.)