Judaism Afterlife

• They respect the dead 
• Help people that are grieving 
• To express their grief mourners tear a bit of their clothing; this is an ancient tradition that is still continued today called Keri'ah
• Burial process is done fairly and made simple giving to priority or distinct difference between the rich and poor 
• Jews believe that " Death is not the end, but the start of the soul's entry to the World to come". It goes on a new spiritual journey where the body leaves the soul and removes fear 
• Judaism is built in relationships that involve agreement and promises made in life 
• Life after Death Jewish views: Soul leaves the body and returns to where is came from ( this process takes 1 year), While in the process the body/soul may come in contact with the living world, The Human soul is immortal and survives physical death of the body, The soul encounters: Olam Ha-Ba, Gan Eden and Gehenna

1. Olam Ha-Ba/ The world to come: A state of being higher than current existence 

* They prepare by studying the Torah and performing good deeds 

* Doesn't focus on how to get to heaven rather it focuses on current life and how to life it 

* They embrace the idea of heaven but, don't know how to describe it 

*They know that heaven is a wonderful place

2. Gan Eden ( The Garden of Eden) 

* Spiritual reward for the righteous
* Not the same place where Adam and Eve were
* It is a place of spiritual perfection
* The peace that one person feels is the pleasure of the after-life

3. Gehnna 

* People come to this spiritual place for punishment or purification
* Can be referred to as "She'ol
* Gehnnna is seen as severe punishment
* Gehnna is not "hell"
* It is a period in time where we can see our actions and the harm that we might have caused others, or the opportunities that we have missed
* This period does NOT exceed 12 months the person then ascends to take their place in Olam Ha-ba

The Messiah: The anointed one 

• A human that is especially anointed and specially empowered 
• The biblical figures have predicted the return of the Messiah since the destruction of the first temple in the year 586 B.C.E 
• The divine messenger who will come and herald God's message to the world 
• When all Jews perform Mitzvah  properly balance will be restored only then The Messiah will come 

The Messianic Age

• Theological term: Future time of peace and brotherhood on earth 
• Future time without war, crime and poverty 
• Many religions believe that this New age will come on day