Tell me more ×
Mi Yodeya is a question and answer site for those who base their lives on Jewish law and tradition and anyone interested in learning more. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 16 down vote favorite

What is the source of Gilgulim in Judaism? Are there people who disagree with its existence? Who was the first to mention it? What I am asking essentialy is what is the historical development of Gilgulim in Judasism?

share|improve this question
1  
Chalutzhanal, Welcome to mi.yodeya, and thanks very much for the fascinating question! I look forward to seeing you around. – Isaac Moses Aug 6 '10 at 19:57

6 Answers

up vote 2 down vote accepted

Sources for Gilgul and more info on Them

share|improve this answer
1  
good list of sources – Y.Stahl Aug 29 '10 at 4:49
Rasag (one of the sources brought here) was against the idea of gilgulim – Menachem Jun 15 '12 at 22:05
up vote 3 down vote

If I'm not mistaken (if I recall correctly from an "intro to Kabbalistic concepts" lecture by Rabbi Breitowitz given at Ohr Sameyach; contact them for the audio), the notion of Gilgul (whereby a departed soul returns to earth in a different body) appears in a major way with the kabbalistic teachings of the Arizal in the 1500s. As we have none of the Arizal's original writings other than a receipt for a sum of pepper (he was a spice-seller), I suppose you'd have to consult his students' writings, such as those of R' Chayim Vital.

Does the concept appear in the Zohar? I don't know.

Certainly if you look through Sefer Chafetz Chaim and Shmiras HaLashon (c. 1900), while the author is known as a Halachist and not Kabbalist, he accepts this kabbalistic notion (and many others) and cites it vis-a-vis a punishment for speaking Lashon Hara ("lakelev tashlichun oso").

As Dave so kindly informed me, it's the Rashash (Lithuania, 1800s) who comments on a Gemara (describing a person's entry to the world "free of sin"):

This somewhat contradicts those who believe in the notion of Gilgul.

Or in Yeshivish:

It's a shtickel of a shlug-up for the oilam that holds by the inyan of Gilgul.

I've heard that some Hassidim purposely avoid the Rashash's commentary in general, because of this.

Today it's certainly accepted in many circles; most siddurim have a version of Bedtime Prayers that forgives "all those who have wronged me, whether in this incarnation (gilgul) or another one." On the other hand, it's not one of the Thirteen Principles, and I know one rabbi (who I personally respect) who omits that phrase (not that he necessarily rejects Gilgul, just he's not sure how this forgiving-acts-from-other-incarnation works).

share|improve this answer
3  
It's the Rashash to Bava Metzia 107a: מה ביאתך לעולם בלא חטא אף יציאתך בלא חטא. Rashash comments: מכאן סתירא קצת לבעלי דעת הגלגול. – Dave Aug 6 '10 at 20:19
1  
Here's a link to a Munkatcher journal which has lots more info, including the Minchas Elazar's sharp dismissal of Rashash's statement. hebrewbooks.org/… – Dave Aug 6 '10 at 20:24
can somone put the rashash in context whats the Gemara talking about? – SimchasTorah Aug 6 '10 at 20:57
The Gemara says "just as you entered the world without sin, so may you exit the world without sin." (The blessing of baruch ata b'voecah uvaruch ata b'tzeisecha). The Gemara was taking for granted that we enter this world without sin; but Gilgul talks about reincarnated souls in need of correcting previous life's flaws. – Shalom Aug 6 '10 at 21:09
1  
This Zohar in Parashat Mishpatim, almost the whole Zohar on the Parasha talks about Gilgulim... – Hacham Gabriel Dec 9 '11 at 20:48
up vote 1 down vote

The Sefer Gilyon Ari (p. 40 - found on Otzar Hachochma) mentions the Rashash noted by Shalom, and adds the following:

alt text

share|improve this answer
In Derech SIcha on Ki Savo Rav Kanievsky seems to say it is not a question at all if i understand correctly he says it is a foolish question – Chalutzhanal Aug 23 '10 at 19:41
Derech Sicha the first one – Chalutzhanal Aug 23 '10 at 19:41
up vote 10 down vote

In regards to the first one, Gilgulim are first mentioned in the Heikhalot texts, also found in the Zohar, and Sefer HaBahir. That puts the idea at least as far back as Tannaim and Amoraim. Several of the Geonim argued over it, such as Sa'adia Gaon.

share|improve this answer
1  
mekubal, Welcome to mi.yodeya, and thanks very much for bringing your knowledge to the table! We'd love to have you as a fully-registered member, which you can accomplish by clicking register, above. – Isaac Moses Aug 8 '10 at 17:01
Nevertheless, if the idea is totally absent in both Talmuds, that might say something. – Shalom Aug 9 '10 at 0:51
1  
Yes and no. For Rabbanim like Sa'adia Gaon it gave them permission to argue on the premise and even delcare it non-Jewish. Others saw it(as many Kabbalistic concepts) as being veiled within Shas, thus claiming that it is mentioned but not explicitly, and one would have to have insiders knowledge to know what they were saying. Many Kabbalists consider this to be the case with all of Kabbalah. R' Kaduri ZTz"L told me many times, all of Kabbalah is hidden within Shas, one just needs to know how to find it. – Rabbi Michael Tzadok Aug 9 '10 at 1:23
I'm not disagreeing; but apparently the Talmud didn't intend for that to be revealed in its simplest level. Skeptics have even argued that the Gemaras about Moshe debating the angels at Sinai is intended as satire of the Heikhalot literature! – Shalom Aug 9 '10 at 1:41
1  
I would agree. I am not sure that even the Ari or his student Haim Vital intended for much of this to be open for mass consumption as it is today. Take for instance Shaarei Kedusha, R' Haim Vital's work for beginners and lay people, gilgulim there are not explicitly spoken of the advent of Hassidus put these concepts intot he public sphere, and Gershom Scholem put the texts(poorly translated) into the public sphere. Only HaShem knows if either ever belonged there, but it seems clear that their authors intended otherwise. – Rabbi Michael Tzadok Aug 9 '10 at 2:58
show 2 more comments
up vote 1 down vote

An Intresting Paper on the Topic All about Gilgulim

share|improve this answer
up vote 2 down vote

See: Sefer Bahir (as already mentioned), Reshit Hochma (Shaar HaYira 13),Ramhal (Derech Hasgem), Shaar HaGilgulim 22), Sefer Haredim (7:57), Degel Mahane Efraim (Parashat Mishpatim), Abarbanel (Debarim 25), Rabenu Bahya (Debarim 22:1), Ohr Hashem (4:7), Sefer HaIkarim 4:29). All these are sources for the discussion. EDIT: There is scientific proof to Gilgulim, and most of the Hachamim agree that Gilgulim exist.

share|improve this answer
3  
can you site a source for the scientific proof to Gilgulim you mention? – none Feb 27 '12 at 20:19

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.