2007-06-12 12:36:44 · 11 answers · asked by Broccoli 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is more difficult for Jews to get to "heaven" than for non-Jews. As part of the Jewish contract (testament) with God, they are obligated to observe His 613 commandments. Non-Jews are obligated to observe only the 7 Noahide laws.
There is no central belief in Judaism about the afterlife. No one has been there and returned to tell us about it. The Tanach only mentions places called Sheol and Gehinnom. The root of the word "sheol" means question. Therefore to go down to sheol, one goes down into the unknown!
The Christian concept of heaven/hell comes from Zoroastrianism -- the fight between good and evil.
You can read some of the Jewish concepts of the afterlife here...
http://www.jewfaq.org/olamhaba.htm#Resurrection
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2007-06-12 13:34:46 · answer #1 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Depends whether they were good people, I guess. They don't have to be Jewish, though.
Gentiles, in order to be considered good people, have to keep a mere seven commandments (compared the 613 of a Jew):
1. Monotheism.
2. Not cursing God.
3. Not stealing.
4. Not murdering.
5. Not committing sexual immorality.
6. Not eating the limb off a living animal.
7. Setting up courts to enforce the other six laws.
See? Most people do these already. Oh, yes, and your Rightious Gentile does go to heaven. The unrightious (is that a word) gentile... does not go to heaven. Plain and simple.
2007-06-13 07:02:54 · answer #2 · answered by Melanie Mue 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
they go the same place as Jews go.... where ever that is. Jews don't really believe in a for sure after life. its really open for interpretation. unlike some Catholics, Jews don't believe that non-Jews to to "hell". Jews don't believe in hell. more of a cleansing period, for a year or so, if you were bad. that is one of the main differences between judiasim and christrianty, jew's main focus is not the afterlife, but more about making the time you spend on earth good.
2007-06-12 12:41:59 · answer #3 · answered by lins 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Jewish people don't believe there is a "heaven" or a "hell." They think these concepts have more to do with perpetuating guilt and submission than in reality. Their concern is with what you do while you are here, that you are a good and decent person while you are alive, and not in some magical afterlife.
2007-06-12 12:46:12 · answer #4 · answered by Judge 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
In a nutshell, in order to have a place in the world to come we believe that all one has to do is to follow the seven Noahide laws. You don't have to be Jewish, just a good person.
2007-06-12 13:19:58 · answer #5 · answered by Mark S, JPAA 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
That is hard to saw because in the Torah G-d doesnt really talk about where you go after you die... it just said the Kingdom of Heaven.... so i guess everyone goes there
2007-06-12 12:43:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
We believe all moral people merit heaven, regardless of their religious beliefs or lack thereof.
2007-06-12 14:12:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Torah is a guidebook for humans in this world. That is why there is little reference to the next.
However, Judaism believes in an afterlife, reincarnation, et al, it just isn't a main theme of the belief system.
Try these articles:
http://www.aish.com/rabbi/ATR_browse.asp?s=afterlife&f=tqak&offset=1
http://www.aish.com/rabbi/ATR_browse.asp?s=afterlife&f=tqak&offset=2
http://www.aish.com/rabbi/ATR_browse.asp?s=afterlife&f=tqak&offset=3
http://www.aish.com/rabbi/ATR_browse.asp?s=afterlife&f=tqak&offset=4
2007-06-12 13:16:52 · answer #8 · answered by Mike F 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If they are decent moral individuals then they go to Heaven.
Judaism dose not a preach our way or your doomed mentality.
2007-06-12 12:40:02 · answer #9 · answered by Gamla Joe 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
First,to the mortuary. Then a nice funeral home. After that burial. They believe they go in the ground when they die.
Seriously,they do not believe in an afterlife.
2007-06-12 12:41:32 · answer #10 · answered by Brynn 3 · 0⤊ 5⤋