Jewish Views of the Afterlife - Softcover

Raphael, Simcha Paull

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1568219385 ISBN 13: 9781568219387

Publisher: Jason Aronson, Inc., 2000

Synopsis

In Jewish Views of the Afterlife, Simcha Paull Raphael guides the reader through 4,000 years of Jewish thought on the afterlife by investigating pertinent sacred texts produced in each era. Through a compilation of ideas found in the Bible, Apocrypha, rabbinic literature, medieval philosophy, medieval Midrash, Kabbalah, and Hasidism, the reader learns how Judaism conceived of the fate of the individual after death throughout Jewish history. In the wake of the horrifying deaths of six million Jews in the Holocaust, many turned away from Judaism and shunned a God who had seemingly allowed this senseless act of cruelty to occur. Others turned toward the faith, desperately wanting to believe in the doctrine that those whose lives had ended prematurely had passed on to another a better life. But does an afterlife even exist? What role does it play in Jewish theology? While many affirm a belief in the afterlife, a scarce few are aware of where these teachings can be found in Jewish literature. Among the topics discussed in this fascinating volume are heaven and hell, Olam Ha-Ba (The World to Come), Gan Eden, resurrection of the dead, immortality of the soul, and divine judgment prior to death.

About this title

About the Author

Simcha Paull Raphael received a doctorate in psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco and ordination as a rabbinic pastor from Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. He teaches in the Department of Religion at La Salle University, and serves as a spiritual director at Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Dr. Rapahel is also in private practice as a psychotherapist specializing in bereavement, affiliated with Mount Airy Counseling Center. He resides in the Philadelphia area.

Edition details

• Publisher: Jason Aronson, Inc.
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1568219385
• ISBN 13: 9781568219387
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 474