Jewish Views of the Afterlife

In a religious tradition as old as Judaism there are a multiplicity of teachings on the afterlife.  These teachings have always been part of our spiritual legacy as Jews, although many of us are not familiar with them.  Judaism teaches that the world, as divinely given, is for us to sanctify through performing mitzvot, as well as to enjoy.  This attitude towards our life on earth, however, does not imply that there are no Jewish traditions and beliefs regarding the afterlife. 

In this 4 session course, we will explore teachings and ideas regarding the afterlife in the Tanakh, the Apocrypha, midrash, rabbinic literature and Jewish mysticism. We will discuss the concepts of resurrection, divine judgment, Olam Ha-Ba (The World to Come), Gehenna (the realm of postmortem punishment), the immortality of the soul, and gilgul (the kabbalistic idea of reincarnation/transmigration of souls). 

Instructor:  Rabbi Stephanie Bernstein

When: Wednesdays, August 1  – 22 (4 weeks), 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Fee:  $36 Members, $50 Non-members