Question for Jews?

Question

I have to admit that I don't know much of anything about Judaism, and I ask this question with a sincere interest.

If Jews do not believe in hell like the Christians do, then what makes them so adamantly obey God's laws? I mean, if there is no place of eternal suffering and torment as a consequence for your wrongs, then why not just live however you choose?

Thank you in advance.

Isn't there anyone who can offer an "educated" answer? Either I get told something about what Christians believe or I get accused of being a Christian. My question is about Judaism.

mna - I don't know how you got started on islam, sweetie, but you're way off topic.

Answer 1

Why do you think that one needs a threat in order to G-d's will?

The Torah is the breath of G-d, given to the Jewish people in order for them to do the wiill of G-d everyday. It is considered a gift, a privelage, engraved on the hearts of all people.

Those that believe that the Torah is a prison, a burden or a curse cannot understand why the Jewish people would want to follow the Torah without the constant threat of hell. They think there are no rewards to following the Torah, that it is merely something that causes more sorrow.

Those that do follow the Torah know that the Torah is not a curse. Instead it allows the person to form a more intimate relationship with G-d, to truly embrace the divine.

Also remember that the Jewish people believe that life is sacred, that it is a beautiful gift from G-d. The desire to live life to it's fullest, not escape it. This calls for them to seek what is right - and the Torah leads them in this.

Jews do not believe in hell because for one they do not have the same view of Satan as Christians do. They do not see this cosmic battle that is taking place like what is described in Revelation. They believe that this life is a period where we can become close to G-d, know G-d and love G-d.

Because of this, there is no need for eternal damnation.

This does not mean that the Jews believe that if you do wrong in this life you are just going to escape any justice. Most Jews believe that there is a period of purging that goes on, the length of time is determined by how you lived your life. It is painful, not in a physical sense but in a spiritual sense because you are made to see all your failings.

Hopefully that answers your question a little bit more. If you have further questions you can email me.

Answer 2

Because we want to have a relationship with God. Besides, if the only reason to try to act in a good way is to avoid punishment, why do atheists even bother not to steal, cheat or kill? We have souls, those souls want to be closer to God. By following His commandments we create this relationship with Him.

But Judaism does have a reward. The reward is that the closer your relationship to God is in this world, the better off you'll be in the World to Come. Your good actions and your determination to form a bond with God dont' go unrewarded.

As for a "opunishement", there' s really not such a concept in Judaism. We do have the idea of the "gehinom", but it is a temporal place where souls go t obe "cleaned". If the ystill have missions to fulfill, they come back, but in a state of complete purity (Jews don't believe in "original sin", we're born perfectly pure and sinnless). If a soul fulfilled its mission and it's ready for the World to Come, it leaves gehinom to be close to God once again.

Answer 3

first off their is a sense of doing what is right. You see someones wallet on the ground, no one is going to know if you took it, but if you could find a way to return it then it would be the right thing to do.

Second their is a concept in Judaism that our actions improve the world around us, and that when a Jew observes the Torah the world is better as a result.

And then of course there is the greedy and selfish aspect. While hell is not eternal that dose not mean you want to spend even a short period of time their, and in addition we have the concept that you get as much reward in the afterlife as effort you put in while alive. Not everyone in heaven is equal it depends on how much you earn.

Answer 4

I like gratvol's answer, and agree with it.

I also want to add: we promised we would, and we do because we love to please G-d. G-d and the Jews made a bargain, the least we can do is hold up our end of it by following the laws He gave to us, that are actually very good for us.

Peace, and good question :-)

Answer 5

Its all got to do with why we are here on earth. We're not here to achieve wealth, fame or anything that is readily discernable in this world- the purpose of this world is to grow spiritually. How is that so?

Think of it like this- in the world to come the presence of God is palpable. the aim of every soul is to be able to come nearer to the presence of God- but that is only possible through purifying the soul through spiritual growth. but there is a problem- in the world to come free will is much diminished- it is not just a perfected version of this world- but a spiritual realm where souls are engaged in studying Torah and sprituality- as such, there are few challenges and choices to make!

So the soul comes to this world- where the nature of God is hidden and we have to work at achieving spirituality and living a spiritual life. That is what the laws are- the signposts that point us in the correct direction to grow and raise our level of spirituality. So we follow the laws since we want our essences to draw closer to God- becaus ewe are like children that both love and fear our parent and want to emuliate him.

As for Gehinom- it is not hell- at best it would resemble the Christian idea of purgatory, a temporary stop-off point where the soul is forced to confront what it could have been as oppossed to what it actually achieved- it is the cshame that the soul feels at seeing this contrast that is referred to as "burning" (think of when you are embarrassed and how your cheeks get hot...) It never lasts for more than 12 months- and even then, it is only the most evil that merit such a liong time in Gehinnom (that is why we recite kadish, the prayer for the dead, daily for eleven months- we do not want to imply that our deceased loved one was so evil as to merit a full twelve months in gehimom!)

There is one step worse though- it is still not hell- but an eternal seperation of that soul from God- this is the punishment known as kares (excission) where the soul is forever only on the very outkirts of the world to come- a stranger looking in but unable to join in. The soulis not punished or tortured- but it exists knowing that it is eternally estranged from its maker, never to come closer to the essence of God.

edit: A correction to what Steve said- there is no concept of limbo- the closest is the punishment of kares as described above. Also, it does not apply to suicides. While in the past suicides were seen as commiting a crime with a punishment of kares (murdering themselves), with the modern understanding of the issue we no longer view suicide in such a fashion. In fcat, according to the view of the major poskim (Rabbinical commentators) that we follow today, suicide is seen as a result of illness or temporary insanity and the person as ill- not as somebody committing murder.

Answer 6

One obeys their parents out of fear and respect, but as adults they discover that those laws were necessary after all.

Jews have matured and have discovered that those laws do make a difference in our lives.

You won't understand it until you have studied and experienced Judaism.

Jew-by-choice
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Answer 7

It is instilled in Jews - - - those who are born & practice being Jews - - - as well as those accussed of being Jews - - - a confusing issue but that said - - -
this might be H^ll so one better be good for when they die they might go to Heaven - - - but just in case this is not H^ll, this day to day existence, then when a Jews dies, 'surprise' God or an Angel then sends Him/Her to 'H^l.' In simple words, Jews do believe in H^ll, it is there in the actual Bible, not those books added on by Christians, but in the Original Book. The so called 'Old' Testement view of H^ll is not as elaborate as the Christian Version, Peter & Paul wanted to scare the bejesus out of Christ Followers and elaborated on the perils & pitfalls of H^ll...


But yes Jews are taught all about H^ll and many will tell you that this day to day existence is H^ll but if they lead a virtuous life they will assend to Heaven.

(See Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep in that wonderful film)

Peace

Answer 8

I know you dont mean any harm.But in Judaism we dont worship G-d just for the benefits.We worship him because it makes us feel at peace, a oneness with him.

Answer 9

Why do you christians always need god pointing a gun at your head to get you to follow your religion's rules? And why are you so surprised that other people can do things on their own without the threat of burning for all eternity?

Answer 10

Mosaic laws were for the infancy of humanity. They clearly state *don't* do this or that. No further explanation was needed.
To a small child who has not yet the power of reasoning and logic you just say don't do it, without lengthy explanations. It is enough for that stage of development.
But at our level of progress and development we know that laws must to be followed out of love and not because of fear of punishment or expectation of reward.
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