Hell

[Rubystars]

I was planning on asking this in an ask JTF question, and I may still do that, but I thought, that the members of this forum would probably be able to answer more quickly, allowing me to ask Chaim a different question next time.

I notice that Chaim sometimes mentions hell and hell fire, and I have spoken with at least one other Jew who believes in hell, who told me about this forum.

This confuses me a little bit because I have always been told that Jews don't believe in hell, and that if they do, hell is "the grave", certainly not hellfire.

Where in the Torah does it mention these things? The members of this forum are pretty much the only Jews who have talked about hell as a real place that I know of. Do most Jews on this forum believe in hell?

[Kiwi]

I think we live in hell most of the time.

[Tzvi Ben Roshel1]

yes, definitly hell does exist, but in addition to that their are also a number of other judgements places of judgement. One place is here on this earth. Actually everyone has his trials here, even something very small is a judgment in one way or another. Another level of judgement after you die is hell( with different levels), then their is reincarnations also with different levels (can be a mineral,plant, animal or human), then their is probably the worst, its called Kaf Hakella, this is when the big sinner (the spirit) has no rest for a long time (could be eternity even) and the spirit is in a way flying (or whatever) in space and in the air, having no rest and being attacked by different demons (maybe 3, or maybe more). The only time the demons cant touch them is when they are in a body, so thats why sometimes their were and are (rare though) people having 2 souls in one body, and one can see 2 diferent people talking out of one mouth. 
  Please G-d have mercy. 

[Tzvi Ben Roshel1]

also of someone saying that maybe their is no hell, with the following you can see maybe it does have some truth.

IN THE FUTURE GEHINOMM WILL CONSIST OF LOOKING AT THE PLEASURES OF THE TZADDIKIM WHILE NOT BEING ABLE TO ENJOY THEM
The book Tzafenat Paneach writes: I have heard there will be no Gehinomm in the future. The Evildoers are put in Gan Eden, but it is not Paradise for them, because they hear those who study Torah with joy and pleasure but they don’t feel any joy just as they did not enjoy it while alive. That causes pain and sadness to the Reshaim, which consumes them with shame, and that is their punishment.
And in the book Toldot Yaakov Joseph it says that the reshaim (evildoers) do not have worse hell than when they go into Gan Eden, where there is no food nor drink or any of the desires of this world. There are only Tzaddikim sitting with their crowns on their heads, and the reshaim, proud during their earthly life, when they see the ones they rejected enjoying honors and delighting with Torah and prayer, suffer greatly and this is the worst hell for them.

 from Israel613.com

[Rubystars]

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful and thorough replies to my question. How very interesting... the beliefs are more complex than I thought 

[JTFFan]

I think we live in hell most of the time.

same here

[Dominater96]

yes, definitly hell does exist, but in addition to that their are also a number of other judgements places of judgement. One place is here on this earth. Actually everyone has his trials here, even something very small is a judgment in one way or another. Another level of judgement after you die is hell( with different levels), then their is reincarnations also with different levels (can be a mineral,plant, animal or human), then their is probably the worst, its called Kaf Hakella, this is when the big sinner (the spirit) has no rest for a long time (could be eternity even) and the spirit is in a way flying (or whatever) in space and in the air, having no rest and being attacked by different demons (maybe 3, or maybe more). The only time the demons cant touch them is when they are in a body, so thats why sometimes their were and are (rare though) people having 2 souls in one body, and one can see 2 diferent people talking out of one mouth. 
  Please G-d have mercy. 

Not necassarily. Im quoting Rabbenu Abraham be HaRambam's "Milchamot Hashem"- "In regard to the garden of Eden and Gehinom, the literal interpretation of the words of the sages of blessed memory goes in this directions. However, we observe that they differ in their interpretation of Gehinom. Some sages say that there is no Gehinom in the world to come......" If you want me to continue another time, i will.

[Dominater96]

Im not saying that I agree with this, but some say that the sin in the world to come is the lack of reward. Or some say that hell is even a reward because ull end up going to heaven, and the total obliteration of the soul is the worst punishment.

[KansasJew]

Well what do you expect. We ponder life and question everything and then come up with responses to our questions. After many generations of thinkers. It can get "Complicated" 

[Nolandforshalom]

I think that, in life, hell is what you make it. To any of us, being dropped into Mecca is hell, but to the demons that live their, it is Heaven. Isnt the Galut each our own personal hell, and each of us just waiting for the right time to return to our true home?

[Husar]

I think we live in hell most of the time.

same here

Serbs had/have MORE
than their share of hell,
while alive.

 

That's why we believe
we go to Paradise,
once dead.

 

[Kiwi]

I think we live in hell most of the time.

same here

Serbs had/have MORE
than their share of hell,
while alive.

 

That's why we believe
we go to Paradise,
once dead.

 

Like true warriors 

[Dr. Dan]

It's not for us to worry about hell or heaven or the days to come. It is us to worry about how we treat each other in the here and now...

Frankly, I think everyone goes to Hell first, does their time, and then elevate themselves into Heaven.

[JTFFan]

I think we live in hell most of the time.

same here

Serbs had/have MORE
than their share of hell,
while alive.

 

That's why we believe
we go to Paradise,
once dead.

 

Like true warriors 

Yes

[Tzvi Ben Roshel1]

It's not for us to worry about hell or heaven or the days to come. It is us to worry about how we treat each other in the here and now...

Frankly, I think everyone goes to Hell first, does their time, and then elevate themselves into Heaven.

Wronge. You have to remember the day of death, meaning what will happen because of your actions. And you should also know that a Jew has to complete his tikkun in order to merit  "heaven". Its not a simple transaction the way some think- earth-hell- then heaven.
 I would recomend for you personally to listin to this lecture I listened to today and yesturday (Its very interesting and useful) http://www.torahanytime.com/rav_daniel_cohen.html - the last one down the list titled "Practical Essence of Tikkun" .-Write back after you have done so.

[Tzvi Ben Roshel1]

If you want me to continue another time, i will.

Please do so.