Torah and Jewish Idea > Torah and Jewish Idea
Judaism and Hell
Kacen:
I'm curious, I've read and heard from so many different conflicting sources about hell in Judaism.
I've heard Jews do not believe in hell from an Conservative/Orthdox Jewish friend of mine and a Reform Jewish friend, but my secular (atheist) Israeli friend says the very religious Jews do believe in hell.
I heard from other sources that Jews believe earth is hell and we have to get through it like a trial to get to "heaven".
And I've heard in general that the Torah is very vague in general on the afterlife compared to the other Abrahamic faiths.
So can anyone here clear that up for me?
Lisa:
That would be a good question for Chaim for the next Ask JTF show.
Zelhar:
Hell is where souls are being punished and there is allot of discussion about it in the Jewish mystics.
In Judaism there is no eternal damnation in hell because the ultimate payment for sins is to have the soul destroyed completely. So after a period in hell the soul is either released to heaven or destroyed.
Furthermore at the End of days, all righteous souls will have eternal life in the kingdom of God (They will be resurrected). The evil souls would probably be destroyed and perhaps the less evil ones will be delayed in hell until they are allowed to resurrect.
That is as far as I know is the Jewish view though I can't say I believe in it. Anyway hell is not as bid a concern in Judaism as in other religions. Judaism is more concern in life in this world. A Jew is supposed to do as many commandments (mitzvahs) as he can simply because God has asked him to do so and not for a reward or fear of punishment.
Tzvi Ben Roshel1:
--- Quote from: zelhar on May 29, 2008, 12:34:33 PM ---
Anyway hell is not as bid a concern in Judaism as in other religions. Judaism is more concern in life in this world. A Jew is supposed to do as many commandments (mitzvahs) as he can simply because G-d has asked him to do so and not for a reward or fear of punishment.
--- End quote ---
I dont think it is that true. It depends who one asks, but their are books in Judaism that talk about hell, and one would definitly be full of fear and terror if they have read a lot of it. (of how even sometimes the tinniest action would be judged).
Zelhar:
--- Quote from: Tzvi Ben Roshel on May 29, 2008, 12:48:47 PM ---
--- Quote from: zelhar on May 29, 2008, 12:34:33 PM ---
Anyway hell is not as bid a concern in Judaism as in other religions. Judaism is more concern in life in this world. A Jew is supposed to do as many commandments (mitzvahs) as he can simply because G-d has asked him to do so and not for a reward or fear of punishment.
--- End quote ---
I dont think it is that true. It depends who one asks, but their are books in Judaism that talk about hell, and one would definitly be full of fear and terror if they have read a lot of it. (of how even sometimes the tinniest action would be judged).
--- End quote ---
There are Jewish scholars who studied these aspects but this is mainly philosophical and mystical study. Judaism is much more practical- The Torah, the Talmud, they deal mainly with life in this world.
As for the other part of my claim- I don't think it is the common Jewish approach to tell people "do this mitzvah or you go to hell" After all the Torah almost never provide a reason behind the commandment.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version