Mysticism and Spirituality

From Life to Afterlife: Judgment of the Soul in Jewish Tradition - Part 1

What happens to the soul when it moves from the physical to the spiritual world? In this 2-part series, we explore what the tradition has to say about angels, the life review, and tips on how we might spend our time differently.

The Hidden Orchard

14 Jul 2024 — 6 min read

From its origin, Jewish tradition has explored and cataloged a multitude of experiences about what happens to the soul after death. For many people, these ideas are uncomfortable and might fall within the realm of superstition or fantasy.

In recent decades, though, modern research into NDEs (Near-Death Experiences) reveals remarkable similarities with the Jewish tradition, compelling some to explore the ancient texts for more information.

In this focus, we'll gain some insight regarding what happens to the soul after passing from this existence, and the various stages one might encounter in its journey to rectification.

Parallels with NDEs

The relatively recent spike in NDEs can often be attributed to modern medical advancements, and the ability to revive patients from early stages of physical death. In addition, better tools of communication, and researchers willing to study these phenomena proliferate their findings.

Where science has traditionally dismissed these experiences as hallucinations, the increase in accounts and similarities has brought a new perspective to the forefront.

Cardiologist, and NDE researcher, Pim van Lommel writes:

... the phenomenon of the NDE can no longer be scientifically ignored. The NDE is an authentic experience that cannot be simply reduced to imagination, fear of death, hallucination, psychosis, the use of drugs, or oxygen deficiency. Patients appear to be permanently changed by an NDE during a cardiac arrest of only some minutes' duration.¹

While an NDE is not the same as complete death, some shared experiences are reported by those who have come back from them. Indeed, many of those who have passed through the veil, and back, begin a new chapter of their life with a laser focus on moral refinement.

These seem to accord with various accounts in the Talmud and Zohar, though the focus in the Jewish texts is often aimed at encouraging moral refinement.

In general, many of the ancient teachings describe a meticulous Divine assessment of one's life, weighing the deeds, interactions, and intentions in a second-by-second replay. (We will explore this in more depth in part 2.)

Contemporary NDE accounts often tell of vivid experiences of this life review, encountering a presence of light, and facing moral reflections on mistakes made.

This convergence of ancient wisdom and modern inquiry touches upon the very essence of moral accountability, Divine justice, and the eternal quest for spiritual growth.

All of this leads to understanding the condition of the human soul², and why there is such a strong emphasis on refinement.

Due to the damages of the sin of Adam, the human soul is presently in need of repair. While one has the freedom and capacity to refine oneself to a significant degree, there is a remaining amount of impurity³ that cannot be remediated until we have left the physical world.

However, the amount of additional impurity that we accumulate is completely determined by how we spend our time. Thus, it follows that the more impurities we accrue, the more purification we will require as the soul transitions from the physical to the spiritual world.

The good news is that we have the potential to attain higher degrees of purity and righteousness in our time, which is why The Hidden Orchard spends so much time on the topic of soul refinement.

In other words, to slightly adapt the popular saying, "[the after] life is what you make it."

This means that every moment of life is of value in this economy, and belief in an afterlife should shift our perspective, always acting with this idea in mind. As tradition teaches⁴:

... this world is like a vestibule before the world to come; prepare yourself in the vestibule, so that you may enter the banqueting hall.

Dual Perception

G_D forbid someone does not pass away under violent means, the general description of the soul's journey begins with a very subtle leaving of the body. The Zohar teaches that loved ones, who have passed, will appear around them, ready to escort them into the spiritual world.

When asked what the experience of passing would be like, the Sages state:

Like removing a hair from milk, which is a most gentle process. - Moed Katan 28a

Some describe a subtle popping sound, followed by a flood of information as they begin to reach a new state of heightened perceptions. This likely comes about through their ascendence into a higher dimension that transcends physicality, time, and space.

Time Dilation

In addition, there is a dilation of time that seems to be common. What appears to be days or weeks in the upper worlds might be merely a few seconds or minutes in Earth-time.

Sometimes this is exactly the effect many seek to attain through the meditative heavenly ascents described in Chasidic texts, and even in the New Testament⁵. Though, obviously, without nearly dying in the process.

Examples in the Jewish tradition recount that, during these experiences, individuals gain deep insights into Torah, and life, that could not be shared within the span of a generation.

One day, as Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Ari) rested during his mid-day nap, his disciple watched him from an adjoining room. After a few moments, Avraham noticed something odd, The Ari's lips seemed to be moving as he slept. Unsure if he was sick, or if they were able to discern his words, his students entered and listened attentively.

Suddenly, the Ari's eyes opened, and his students apologized for waking him. The Ari laughed and, sensing their curiosity, said; "Avraham, I wish I could tell you the secrets my soul learned during my short nap. But I could not tell you what I have just learned if I were to have 80 years to teach you.⁶

I recall speaking with a friend who had experienced an NDE in his young adult years. He remembers the experience vividly. With dual perception, he was able to converse with the Angelic entities in the spiritual world while also listening attentively to the medical staff discussing his prognosis in the OR.

While my friend talked with an Angel for hours, waiting for a verdict as to whether or not he was going back to Earth, he was informed he had coded on the table for a duration well under a minute.

Jewish tradition shares similar accounts where one was aware of both worlds at the same time as they crossed through the veil.

Continue to Part 2