Patheos

BuddhistCatholicContemplativeEvangelicalGeneral ChristianHinduJewishLatter-day SaintMuslimNew VisionsProgressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Patheos

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

PATHEOS LIBRARY OF

World Faiths & Religions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Jews believe in life after death?

As we move along the spectrum we get, on one end, absolutely!, and at the other end, absolutely not! There are Jews who fervently believe that when we die our bodies are put into the earth and our souls leave to be absorbed into the Godhead. But before that can occur, we are, each and every human being, judged by God. Those whose good deeds outweigh their sins receive eternal life. In Daniel 12:13 it says: for you shall rest, and will arise to your destiny at the end of the days. But what that means is open to endless interpretation. There is no primary text that answers the question. On the other end of the spectrum are Jews who believe that this is it, your one and only shot at living. Rabbi Harold Schulweis has said, "Immortality is within and between us, and its intimations are here and now."

Back to Frequently Asked Questions

Editor's picks See all columnists

Evangelical

Before You Unplug or Sign Out for Good

Guest Contributor

Evangelical

What Is the Purpose of Spiritual Gifts, and How Do You Discover Yours?

Randy Alcorn

New Visions

5 Ways to Hear What God is Telling You

Tom Rapsas

Muslim

How Awake Are We? When Waking Up is Falling Asleep

Daniel Thomas Dyer

Latter-day Saint

"The Church supports the use of vaccinations"

Dan Peterson

Evangelical

Luther and the Beauty of Christ

Guest Contributor

Patheos

The Soul of Gospel Music Explored in New Netflix Series "Voices of Fire"

DeWayne Hamby

Patheos

Seven Ways to Think About Christian Mysticism

Carl McColman

Evangelical

Cancelling Alice Walker?

Philip Jenkins

Evangelical

Does God Have His Own Logic?

Roger E. Olson

Muslim

Imam Ali’s letter to the Governor- Everlasting Example of Good...

Ejaz Naqvi MD

Progressive Christian

Why Did Jesus Have To Die?

Keith Giles

Patheos Logo Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Copyright 2008-2026, Patheos. All rights reserved.

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube