Does the Soul Survive: A Jewish Journey to Belief in Afterlife Past Lives and Living with Purpose - Hardcover

Spitz, Elie Kaplan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1580230946 ISBN 13: 9781580230940

Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing, 2001

Synopsis

The author look beyond the grave to explore Jewish beliefs about the afterlife, drawing on traditional Jewish texts to discuss numerous perspectives on this important topic.

About this title

Review

Does the Soul Survive? A Jewish Journey to Belief in Afterlife, Past Lives and Living with Purpose by Rabbi Elie Kaplan Spitz combines journalistic reporting, scholarly biblical reading, and the probing self-examination of memoir, in service of recounting his journey from scepticism to belief regarding life after death. Spitz, who teaches the philosophy of law at the University of Judaism, carefully describes traditional Jewish views of the afterlife and fearlessly explores the many challenges to those views arising in parapsychology--including near-death experiences, reincarnation and spirit mediums. In the end, Spitz makes a cogent argument that belief in the afterlife is not, as has often been argued, incompatible with Jewish tradition. Wisely, he grounds his concluding arguments in the present-oriented ethic that guides Jewish devotion: "Our challenge is to use the time we have now to live gratefully and responsibly, knowing that how we choose to live shapes our soul", he argues. "The ability to accept death as part of life provides comfort and the awareness that each day is precious. Our challenge is to make the best of every day in this life". --Michael Joseph Gross

Review

"Very worthwhile ... people do not know enough about the Jewish point of view on death and dying, and people need to know that reincarnation and afterlife is a fact. It's about time and the time is now. This is a brilliant book that keeps you fascinated."
--Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

"A wise, moving, carefully thought out and provocative first-person exploration into the immortality of the soul. Indispensable for anyone who has ever wondered about the mysteries of life before and after this one. A beautiful book."
--Lawrence Kushner, rabbi-in-residence, Hebrew Union College; author, Invisible Lines of Connection: Sacred Stories of the Ordinary

"Rabbi Spitz has taken our most profound human question and given us an exciting journey into religious, historical, and present-day answers.... This inspirational book shows us just how important living our purpose is."
--Carol Adrienne, PhD, author, The Purpose of Your Life

"His initial reticence to believe people's stories about life after death and past incarnations ... gives this book credibility even for skeptical philosophers like me.... Rabbi Spitz has me wondering!"
--Rabbi Elliot N. Dorff, PhD, rector and professor of philosophy, University of Judaism

Edition details

• Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1580230946
• ISBN 13: 9781580230940
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 288