13. I believe with perfect emunah
that the dead will live again
at a time of the Creator's choosing:
blessed be His Name and exalted be His mention for ever and all time.
For Judaism beliefs about the afterlife are pretty fluid. Because Judaism focusses more on what one does with ones beliefs than on the beliefs themselves this subject was never given the same emphasis it was in some other religions. The Jewish attitude has traditionally been that what matters is what one does with the present moment. If one is Torah observant in this life the next life will take care of itself B"H. What practical benefit would be gained from understanding its specifics? Nonetheless, Rambam lists the belief in an afterlife, in the resurrection of the dead, as one of the thirteen beliefs all Jews should embrace. For many Jews that general belief is sufficient: there will one day be "a resurection." For others the nonspecific point of belief opens the door to many fascinating discussions. For some Jews today the idea of a resurrection sounds unscientific and is no longer embraced. What does the Tanach and our traditions say about the afterlife? What did Jews of previous generations understand about this?
In part because of assimilation and Judaism's lack of dogmatism about the afterlife, the beliefs of other traditions have impacted Judaism. Certain Christian dogmas, like Heaven and Hell, are today accepted by some Jews in generally modified forms. Even some rabbis speak of our loved ones being in Heaven while others argue that Hell (Gehenna) is real, but only lasts for a limited time, like 30 days. Understand however that Jews are not to accept the assurances or threats of other gods! We worship HaShem alone and He only doe we hold in awe/fear. It behooves us to understand these matters from diverse perspectives while we seek HaShem for truth.
Because of the impact Christian theology has had on Jewish and world understandings of the afterlife, in this lesson we will look at quotes from both the Tanach and the Christian New Testament. Not that we accept the New Testament, but so that we disengage our beliefs from theirs.
Among the Nicene Christian dogmas few are so deeply held as the belief in the place of eternal torment known as Hell or Hades. Throughout the centuries Nicean pastors and evangelists have hammered the ultimate damnation of the "lost" so thoroughly into the consciousness of the world that even questioning the dogma often meets with accusations of heresy! Apostasy! Some of their missionaries claim that Jesus spoke more about Hellfire and eternal damnation than any other topic! Hell fire has been a potent weapon for centuries. But its a lie and an insult against the G-d of Justice and Mercy!
Today most people find belief in Hell untenable for many reasons. Even most Christians shy away from it today, although most continue to give it lip service lest they be counted among the "heretics." Today most people reject any god who would do this tp people out of hand, arguing that such a cruel tormentor is not worthy of worship even if He exists! This position is understandable. Fortunately this depiction of the G-d of the Torah is not accurate.
There is solid evidence that the historic Jesus (or Yeshua) and his followers did not accept the doctrine either. As first century Jews their beliefs were Jewish, although they were from a reformed perspective that our rabbis rejected. Jews do not see G-d as a being who tortures His creation! He is the G-d of Love and Compassion as well as Justice. There would be nothing just about eternal damnation for a mere 80 years max of sin. HaShem (G-d) is our Parent and well wisher not our tormentor! As the Apostle Peter wrote:
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some people think of slowness; on the contrary, He is patient with you; for it is not His purpose that anyone should be destroyed, but that everyone should turn from his sins. (II Peter 3:9)This is the Jewish teaching. HaShem draws people towards teshuvah or rectification in order that they might have life and joy (Sichot Haran #55)
The Fear of the Lord...We need to understand that HaShem is not our enemy! He is our eternal well-wisher, our loving Parent. He is HaShem Rohi: G-d our Shepherd, Who guides us through still pastures even as we pass through the valleys of the shadow of death (Psalm 23). HaShem is with us always.
The biblically mandated "fear of the Lord" needs to be properly understood.
Psalms 111:10 the first and foremost point of wisdom is the fear of HaShem; all those living by it gain good common sense. His praise stands forever.What is the fear of HaShem? Are we supposed to cower in fear that HaShem might do us some harm, that He might condemn us to eternal torment if we step out of line? G-d forbid even the thought! HaShem is Love (Deuteronomy 10:15)! He shows mercy to all (Numbers 14:18)! He remembers that we are but fallible beings formed of clay (Job 33:6)! It is not in His Sacred Nature to torment the weak and fallen (I Chronicles 16:34). The very notion violates Torah and everything we know about HaShem.
The Hebrew word translated as fear is yir'ah. This is the feminine infinitive form of ya're and means "moral reverence." In other words we are to stand in awe and moral reverence before the glory of HaShem. Maintaining such adoration of Him we should never even consider disobeying His righteous commandments. Not because we are "afraid" of what He might do to us, but because of our love and admiration of His goodness and the rightness of His instructions. If we know that a given thing is His Will we should also know that it is for our very best. As Rebbe Nachman of Breslov teaches: Always remember: happiness is not a side matter in your spiritual journey - it is essential.
HaShem desires our joy and well being.
One who lives in a state of terror and dread of a vengeful tormenting god could never experience this! One might obey outwardly, out of fear, but one could never love, honor and adore such a terrifying deity! One could never serve such a G-d with joy and happiness and thanksgiving.
The dogma of Hell drives people away from Love, it does not draw them to He Who alone is LOVE! Such fear alters our perception of His very nature and that nature is one of Justice AND Compassion.
So... What About Hell?
There are a few verses that appear, out of context, to support the existence of this dreadful place of after-life torment. This is true and should be acknowledged. However we must prayerfully use our reasoning minds (Isaiah 1:18) in order to determine the realities being expressed in such passages by taking in the context of what HaShem has revealed. As Jews we also seek the wisdom of our sages of course. When we seek the truth by getting the overall picture presented throughout the Tanach we discover that the G-d of Love and Mercy presented in the Bible would never torture people! Everything He does is for our benefit.
The Pagan Origins of Hell
So where did the teaching of "Hellfire and damnation" come from?
Circa 325 CE the Nicene Creed was ratified and established as the official doctrinal foundation of the new Catholic (Latin for "universal") religion of Constantine and his Roman Pagan associates. It remains a fundamental dogma in most of the Christian world. Its essential thesis is the rejection of monotheism (the absolute oneness of G-d proclaimed in the Tanach) and the turning of the God of Compassionate Justice into an angry and tormenting oppresor.
Regardless of how the Nicene Trinity dogma is presented it is polytheism and the rejection of biblical monotheism. The Judaism of Yeshia (Jesus) and his disciples was co-opted and was, at the latest, replaced by the year 325 CE. Yeshua's Jewish reform movement ceased to exist at least by that point and was formally replaced by those "who say they are Jews but are not" (Revelation 2:9, 3:9).
The early "church fathers" established a global political and religious system of authority through which they hoped to control every aspect of human life on Earth. As a direct result the western world entered into the "Dark Ages" (5th to 15th centuries CE). Whatever their motives may have been, the Vatican created the dogma of eternal torture as a powerful stick to wield against its opponents. This discussed in more detail elsewhere on this site.
Friends, there is nothing just nor loving about this doctrine nor about a G-d who would create billions of beings solely to torture them throughout eternity. This is NOT the G-d of the Bible!
Know The Facts
- There is no biblical basis for this teaching.
- HaShem can do anything and He could easily make another option for those who do not accept His alleged way of salvation. Therefore if Hell existed it would be G-d sending people there (G-d forbid). Such a thing violates everything we know about Him.
- There is no evidence that anyone from the Abrahamic traditions living in the first century C.E. conceived of such a post-life horror.
- Many Pagans did believe in such horrors then and now and the Jews rightly viewed them as savages because of it.
- Not a single person in the Gospel accounts ever challenged Jesus as to the origins of this non-Jewish teaching he allegedly taught. Surely some rabbi would have questioned it had Jesus actually taught it.
- The doctrine directly challenges the biblical assurances that G-d is Loving and Just (examples: Deuteronomy 32:4; Romans 2:24).
- Most "Bible believing Christians" believe many unbiblical and even anti-biblical teachings. The wide acceptance of such beliefs within Christendom do not make them biblical.
Points to Consider:
- Why do Jews have diverse opinions about the afterlife?
- What do the Thirteen Principles say about the afterlife?
- Do Jews believe in the fiery Hell advocated by certain other religions?
- Should we be afraid of G-d?
- What is your understanding of the afterlife?
Contact Rabbi Shlomo
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