Death and the Afterlife in Jewish Thought: Between Tradition, Belief, and Kabbalistic Esotericism

Exploring the concept of death within Judaism may seem audacious, yet it is encouraged by the tradition of inquiry intrinsic to Jewish thought. Despite the caution urged by rabbinic authorities, Jewish texts ranging from the Torah to mystical writings offer rich perspectives on death, the soul, and the afterlife. This article examines how death is represented in Jewish belief and practice, considering diverse expressions from ritual law, poetic literature, Kabbalistic cosmology, and esoteric traditions. Emphasis is placed on ritual practices, mourning customs, and metaphysical understandings of the soul, including Sheol, Gehenna, and Eden. The evolution of these beliefs is explored through rabbinic, mystical, and popular sources, across historical and cultural contexts.

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