The Jewish beliefs about the afterlife are rooted in the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament in Christianity. However, there is much debate and some ambiguity around exactly what the Bible says concerning life after death. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical texts and themes that have shaped mainstream Jewish thought on the afterlife:
Sheol
The Hebrew word Sheol appears over 60 times in the Hebrew Bible and is commonly translated as “the grave” or “the pit.” It refers to a mysterious underworld where the spirits of the dead go after leaving the body. Sheol is sometimes described as a place of stillness, darkness, and forgetfulness (Psalm 88:12). At other times, it is associated with continued conscious existence like when the prophet Samuel is summoned from Sheol (1 Samuel 28:13-15). There is debate over whether Sheol applies to the fate of all humans or specifically unrighteous ones.
Resurrection
Later prophets like Isaiah and Ezekiel spoke of national and individual resurrection from Sheol, especially connected with the coming Messianic age. For example: “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy!” (Isaiah 26:19); “I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people…And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live” (Ezekiel 37:12,14). Resurrection hope grew during the Second Temple period. The book of Daniel speaks of the dead awaking, some to “everlasting life” and some to “shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2).
Immortality of the Soul
Some Jewish writers during the Second Temple period adapted the Greek idea of the immortal soul that lives on after death. The most vivid example is in the apocryphal book of Wisdom of Solomon which says, “The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God…they are in peace” (Wisdom 3:1,3). However, the notion of a disembodied immortal soul remains controversial in Jewish thought, given that the Hebrew Bible connects the human person with an animated physical body.
World to Come
Rabbinic Judaism coined the phrase Olam Ha-Ba (the “World to Come”) to describe the ultimate destiny of the soul. It is sometimes used interchangeably with the Garden of Eden or paradise. The Mishnah says for the righteous, the World to Come has the “life of the world to come,” implying ongoing existence (Sanhedrin 10:1). The Talmud contrasts Olam Ha-Ba with the “world of the resurrection” suggesting a distinction between the immortality of the soul and the resurrection of the body (Berachot 17a).
Gehenna
The rabbinic schools spoke of Gehinnom (Gehenna) as an afterlife realm of punishment for the wicked. It is named after the Valley of Hinnom where ancient Canaanites practiced child sacrifice (Jeremiah 7:31) and became a dumping ground for burning trash. The concept was developed from passing biblical references into a full-fledged purgatory-like realm of fire and torment. However, Gehinnom is generally described as temporary and purifying, not eternal damnation.
Reincarnation
While the concept of Gilgul Neshamot (reincarnation) is not mainstream in Jewish theology, some mystical Jewish texts such as the Zohar and the Kabbalah teach forms of reincarnation. For example, to make up for sins or complete unfinished tasks. Some Hasidic groups take the idea seriously, while other Jews reject reincarnation as a foreign Eastern influence.
Messianic Age
Both immortality and resurrection are intertwined with the Messianic age in Jewish thought. The Messiah’s coming will usher in universal resurrection and the Olam Ha-Ba of the righteous. There are also more apocalyptic visions of the world to come like Isaiah’s prophecy: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth…the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind” (Isaiah 65:17). Other prophets describe this in more earthly terms restoring the Davidic monarchy and Temple.
Diversity of Views
As can be seen, there is a wide diversity in Jewish beliefs about life after death. They range from a shadowy underworld of Sheol to resurrection to immortal souls in paradise. Different biblical authors and rabbinic schools offer competing and sometimes conflicting views. There is no one authoritative doctrine of the afterlife in Judaism comparable to that of Christianity or Islam. Most Jews focus on this current life and its moral responsibilities.
Focus on This Life
While beliefs about the afterlife exist in Judaism, the tradition has generally focused more on how to lead an ethical earthly life than speculation about otherworldly realms. Ancient rabbis often discouraged overly pondering the mysteries of the World to Come since it can distract from our duties in this life. As the Talmud says, “Do not focus too much on messianic prophecies, but rather focus on good deeds” (Sanhedrin 97b).
In conclusion, the Hebrew Bible and subsequent Jewish developments produced a multifaceted collection of teachings about life after death: Sheol, resurrection, immortality of the soul, World to Come, Gehenna, reincarnation, and the Messianic age. However, many Jews remain modest about claiming definitive knowledge of the afterlife and instead focus on living virtuous lives in the here-and-now in faithful obedience to God.
