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Jewish Views of the Afterlife Second Edition
Author(s): Simcha Paull Raphael (Author), Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (Foreword)
- Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
- Publication Date: 15 Aug. 2009
- Edition: Second
- Language: English
- Print length: 580 pages
- ISBN-10: 0742562204
- ISBN-13: 9780742562202
Book Description
The second edition of the classic Jewish Views of the Afterlife features new material on the practical implications of Jewish afterlife beliefs, including funeral, burial, shiva, and more. With an updated look at how views on life after death have changed in recent years, Simcha Paull Raphael guides the reader through 4,000 years of Jewish thought on the afterlife by investigating pertinent sacred texts produced in each era. Through a compilation of ideas found in the Bible, Apocrypha, rabbinic literature, medieval philosophy, medieval Midrash, Kabbalah, and Hasidism, the reader learns how Judaism conceived of the fate of the individual after death throughout Jewish history. While many affirm a belief in the afterlife, a scarce few are aware of where these teachings can be found in Jewish literature. Among the topics discussed in this fascinating volume are heaven and hell, Olam Ha-Ba (The World to Come), Gan Eden, resurrection of the dead, immortality of the soul, and divine judgment prior to death. Both historical and contemporary, this book provides a rich resource for scholars and lay people, for teachers and students, and makes an important Jewish contribution to the growing contemporary psychology of death and dying.
Editorial Reviews
Review
Simcha Raphael’s book presents an array of images on life after death which convincingly dispel the misconception that Judaism lacks beliefs about the hereafter. In this second edition, a new chapter on death rituals deepens the contribution this book makes to contemporary Jewish life. From life review and ethical wills, to the work of chevra kaddisha, the Jewish burial society, this book provides a path for those of us seeking to connect ritual traditions around end of life to the full spirituality of the death process. Those working with Jewish death traditions, personally or professionally, should include this book in their reference library.–David Zinner, Kavod v’Nichum, North American Chevra Kaddisha Conference
Praise for the first editon: Simcha Paull Raphael has performed an act of resurrection. He has restored the rich heritage of Jewish thought about life after death that has been repressed, disdained, or ignored for so long and he has made the heritage accessible for the first time to a new generation of Jews.–Rabbi Jack Riemer, editor of The World of the High Holy Days and So That Your Values Live On
About the Author
Simcha Paull Raphael is adjunct assistant professor in Jewish Studies at Temple University, is a spiritual director at Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, and has a psychotherapy practice in Philadelphia where he specializes in bereavement. He has been involved in spiritually-oriented death awareness education for more than 20 years.
