Questions tagged [olam-haba-world-to-come]

Questions pertaining to Olam Haba - The World to Come

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20 votes
2 answers
1k views

What Happens to People Who Don't Have a Portion in Olam Haba?

The last perek of Sanhedrin lists some people who have no share in Olam Haba. Other people who forfeit their share are discussed in the answers to this question: No Olam Habah for these? My question ...
18 votes
7 answers
8k views

Non-Jews (Gentiles) in Olam Haba (Jewish Afterlife)?

Are there non-Jews in Olam Haba (the world to come), either in Gehenom (Hell) or Gan Eden (Heaven)?
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18 votes
9 answers
3k views

Why is there no description of Olam Haba in the Torah?

According to the beginning of the Mesilas Yesharim, the entire purpose of creation is for man to merit Olam Haba (the bliss of the next world). If so, why is there no mention nor description of Olam ...
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13 votes
6 answers
787 views

Intrinsic reasons for being observant

If a person doesn't care much about the reward in Olam Habah, what reasons does he have for being religious (learning torah and observing the mitzvot)? As a parable, a businessman might not care ...
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11 votes
2 answers
315 views

Source for a story: Rambam paskening people out of heaven

I'm sorry to ask a source-seeking question (because I don't like seeing them myself), but I'm at a loss here in trying to find what I think is a theologically important Hassidic story. The story goes ...
11 votes
2 answers
389 views

How can Eliyahu say that almost no one in the market has a share in Olam Haba?

Ta'anit 22a recounts (in the g'mara) a story of R. Beroka b. Haza'ah and Eliyahu ha-Navi in a marketplace in Be Lapat, which a note in my Soncino translation says is in Khuzistan. R. Beroka asks ...
11 votes
6 answers
1k views

Can a person sell their portion in heaven?

Can a person sell their portion in olam haba (heaven)? Is the sale valid and binding?
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10 votes
2 answers
353 views

Do the parents of a convert merit in the afterlife for their child's decision?

When my child was little, she wanted to know whether my parents, who are not Jewish, would go to Heaven. I explained to her that the righteous of all nations have a place in the world to come. But ...
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9 votes
5 answers
2k views

References to resurrection and the afterlife in the Jewish Bible?

I am a Christian and have been studying what we call the Old Testament, and been surprised to have difficulty to find a reference to afterlife in the Jewish books of the Christian Canon. I know that ...
  • 201
9 votes
4 answers
712 views

Source that we don't know how God judges people

I wrote in this answer, "We can't possibly know how God judges people after they die." I was making the point that the way we live our lives should be according to halacha but we can't possibly know ...
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9 votes
3 answers
2k views

Rambam on Olam Haba, Mashiach, and Techiyat haMeitim

Could somebody explain to me briefly what the Rambam's opinion is about the sequence of events with Olam HaBa, the Mashiach and Techiyat haMeitim? It seems that he's saying that when a person dies ...
  • 10.7k
9 votes
1 answer
289 views

Fate of Ephraim and Menashe

Ephraim and Menashe were supposed to make great nations of themselves, as it is written. But since the first diaspora, their existence is either unknown or they have all died out. What can we say ...
  • 211
9 votes
2 answers
245 views

Will reading Questions and Answers on Mi Yodeya gain a Jew entrance into Olam Haba?

"One who learns Halachos every day is a Ben Olam Haba" (Babylonian Talmud Niddah 73a) If a Jew reads the halachic questions and answers on this forum everyday, does that guarantee he or she will ...
  • 1,422
8 votes
3 answers
5k views

Are non-Jews/gentiles permanent slaves to Jews in Olam Habah?

Are non-Jews permanent slaves to Jews in the world to come? I'll post the source text once I find it, or if someone can edit this and post the source for me. I believe it's in the Talmud, but not sure ...
  • 1,277
8 votes
2 answers
350 views

Technology during Days of Moshiach

When Moshisch comes (Biezras Hashem) will there be technology like, computers, cars, electricity, etc?
  • 1,375
8 votes
2 answers
346 views

Why does Gehazi have no share in the world to come?

The mishna in Sanhedrin 90a lists Gehazi as one of the 4 commoners who have no share in the world to come. I have seen different reasons for this none of which I fully understand. He mocked the ...
  • 499
7 votes
4 answers
223 views

How does punishment in the World to Come make sense?

If a person is able to make choices in this world, and especially if a person is able to disbelieve that there is a Divine order of any type, how does it make sense for a person's soul to be punished ...
  • 41.2k
7 votes
3 answers
417 views

Rambam's View on Attaining Olam Haba with One Mitzvah

The last Mishnah in Maseches Makkos states that God wanted to benefit Israel so He gave them many mitzvos. ר' חנניה בן עקשיה אומר רצה הקב"ה לזכות את ישראל לפיכך הרבה להן תורה ומצות שנ' ה' חפץ ...
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7 votes
1 answer
368 views

Will Moshiach identify Jews currently thought to be non-Jews?

The Rambam writes in Malachim 10:2: ואינו בא לא לטמא הטהור. ולא לטהר הטמא. ולא לפסול אנשים שהם בחזקת כשרות. ולא להכשיר מי שהוחזקו פסולין. אלא לשום שלום בעולם. [Eliyahu] is not coming to make impure ...
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6 votes
3 answers
568 views

What is the earliest commentary we have that recognized Hell as a place for cleansing the soul?

I am trying to determine the most ancient extant source for the concept of Hell as a place of spiritual cleansing. Regardless of what term you use for it (etc. ,גיא בן הינום, שְׁאוֹל), I understand ...
  • 873
6 votes
1 answer
363 views

Non-Orthodox converts and Olam Ha-Ba

Would a Gentile who converted through a non-orthodox movement be judged as a Gentile or a Jew in Olam Ha-Ba? In regards to the judgement, would his/her action of converting and living a "Jewish" ...
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6 votes
2 answers
254 views

Why does G-d reward reshaim in this world to punish them in the next, if He is good? [duplicate]

The question of "Why do some reshaim people live a good life, while some good people suffer" is often answered that G-d rewards the rasha in this world, in order to punish him in the world to come for ...
  • 2,054
6 votes
2 answers
249 views

How do we know that we will enjoy Olam Haba?

Every person has different wants and desires. Some enjoy good food, others enjoy vacations, yet some others enjoy fine art. Although Olam Haba will be a spiritual enjoyment, how do we know that it ...
  • 12.9k
6 votes
0 answers
153 views

Reform Conversions and Olam Ha-Ba [duplicate]

If a Gentile decides to convert through the Reform movement for the purposes of being ethically monotheistic, practicing traditions relating to Judaism, and having a community, would they be punished ...
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6 votes
3 answers
350 views

Who are the tzaddikim in olam ha-ba?

The midrash tells of various things that will happen to the righteous in olam ha-ba, such as feasting on Leviathan. Who are these? Everybody except those who have no share in olam ha-ba per Pirke ...
5 votes
3 answers
513 views

Does Techiyat Hameisim, resurrection, apply to Non-Jews as well?

Will righteous non-jews also partake in Techiyat Hameisim, resurrection? Will they be brought back to life in the time of the Mashiach? Will Noach? Abraham? Malki-Tzedek? Shem? etc.
  • 6,628
5 votes
1 answer
213 views

Are the ignorant/uneducated exempt from halacha?

Are the ignorant/uneducated (Jews) exempt from following halacha? Do they have a share in the world to come even if they break Jewish law or are apikores? I am led to believe that the answer is, more ...
  • 19.5k
5 votes
2 answers
626 views

What are the "four worlds" in Kabbalah?

A friend told me something about there being "four worlds" in Judaism. I think he was referencing something about Kabbalah (though I'm far from an expert at that). I was wondering: What are these "...
  • 44.5k
5 votes
3 answers
700 views

On the nature of 'Olam HaBa'

I have read that Olam HaBa is an idyllic state in which the world will exist after the Moshiach arrives. Is this correct? But I've also read that Olam HaBa is only for the righteous of all nations, ...
5 votes
2 answers
293 views

Shabbos Clothing and Disgracing the Festivals

Many years ago, my principal told us before succos bein hazmanim, One who does not wear shabbos clothing (i.e. a white shirt, suit and tie etc.) on Chol HaMo'ed - specifically when he comes to ...
5 votes
1 answer
252 views

will the average person make it into Olam Haba

will the average Jew who presumably has a big accumulated package of sins and also a big package of good deeds make it into Olam Haba? is there a minimum requirement for one to "get in"?
  • 20.7k
5 votes
1 answer
324 views

What is the origin of "Olam Haba"?

I believe that the Talmud is the first place where the notion of Olam Haba - The world to come - is mentioned. This question explains why it is not mentioned in the Torah but doesn't quite explain how ...
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5 votes
1 answer
361 views

What are Sifrei Minim today?

In Sanhedrin 100b: Rabbi Akivah says "Even one who reads foreign Seforim (has no chelek in Olam Haba)". Beraitha there: "He refers to Sifrei Tzedukim" (or "Sifrei Minim" ...
  • 20.7k
5 votes
1 answer
753 views

Validity to the saying that 3 shidduchim guarantee a place in olam haba?

This question discusses the idea that certain practices (e.g., saying ashrei yoshvei [Tehilim 145] three times a day) guarantees a place in olam haba. One common saying is that facilitating 3 ...
  • 44.5k
5 votes
2 answers
765 views

How Shabbat is connected to Olam Haba?

The great mysteries of Shabbat and Olam Haba. Why is Shabbat connected to Olam Haba (afterlife) and how? Is it because the afterlife is a place of rest from creative work? Is it because there will ...
  • 1,468
5 votes
1 answer
370 views

Source for parable about two twins in the womb

I once heard/read a parable about two babies in their mother's womb. It goes something like this. Two twins in the womb are speaking of the world to come, one believes it exists, the other not. ...
  • 44.5k
5 votes
1 answer
70 views

Why was Chizqia losing Olam Haba?

Talmud Berachot 10a tells the discussion between Yeshaya and Chizqia about children: מת אתה בעולם הזה ולא תחיה לעולם הבא! אמר לו מאי כולי האי?! אמר לו משום דלא עסקת בפריה ורביה. אמר לו וכולי Dead ...
  • 1,485
5 votes
2 answers
284 views

Is there a concept of time in Gan Eden and the world to come?

Does Time exist in Gan Eden and the world to come. I heard that you cant get bored of these places since there's no time there. Also heard midrash that Yitchak Aviinu went to Gan Eden for 2 years ...
  • 631
5 votes
3 answers
206 views

In the afterlife, will the person's embarrassing moment be revealed before everyone?

Shalom! Is it true that in the afterlife, there will be video tapes played in front of everyone, showing our most embarrassing and most shameful acts that we've committed in this lifetime?
  • 119
5 votes
1 answer
291 views

How can using the bathroom be equated to the pleasure of the afterlife?

There are three things which are a taste of the World to Come: Shabbat, the sun, and “usage.” What does “usage” mean? Usage of the bed [i.e. marital relations]? But that weakens the body. Rather it ...
5 votes
4 answers
376 views

Do Samaritans go to Olam Haba?

My question is if Samaritans go to Olam Haba. It would seem pretty obvious except for the fact they don’t recognize the Jewish people as Hashem’s Chosen. They also have their own slightly altered ...
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4 votes
3 answers
346 views

Will prophecy return in the time of Mashiach?

Will the there be prophets in the times of Moshiach? Will everyone have some level of prophecy in the time of Mashiach? Or is prophecy gone forever?
  • 10.3k
4 votes
1 answer
224 views

Paskening Shlomo out of Shamayim?

R' Yehudah tells us in the name of Shmuel (Sanhedrin 104b) that the Anshei Kenesses HaGedolah wanted to include Shlomo HaMelech on the list of kings who lost their portion of Olam Haba. An image of ...
  • 33.7k
4 votes
2 answers
281 views

Does fulfilling the Seven Commandment of Bnei Noach depend on belief in the torah?

theTalmud in Sanhedrin 105a states that "Righteous people of all nations have a share in the world to come" provided they observe the seven commandments of bnei noach. Does this reward necessitate ...
  • 20.7k
4 votes
3 answers
547 views

Guaranteed olam haba?

Certain practices such as learning halachot daily or reciting ashrei three times a day are supposed to guarantee a person a place in olam haba. How exactly does this work? Can a person be an evil ...
user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
295 views

What is a person's consciousness in the next world?

I have heard in the name of the baalei mussar that the same consciousness you have in this world carries through to the next. In other words the same "I" that you relate to in this world remains the ...
  • 9,449
4 votes
1 answer
90 views

Are thousands of generations to be accounted for literally?

Deuteronomy 5:10 ..."To those who keep His commandments...God's grace is extended to a thousand generations", Rashi's comment suggests when obeying out of fear. Deuteronomy 7:9..."Those ...
  • 185
4 votes
1 answer
144 views

Berachot 4b - What's so special about an alphabetical acrostic?

The Talmud in Berachot 4b states: אמר רבי אלעזר א"ר אבינא כל האומר תהלה לדוד בכל יום שלש פעמים מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא מאי טעמא אילימא משום דאתיא באל"ף בי"ת נימא אשרי תמימי דרך ...
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4 votes
1 answer
184 views

Do the Rabbanim know more than King Solomon about the reality of post-death?

I believe it's accepted in the mainstream that Kohelet is authored by King Solomon in his wisdom. In it, he writes: 19- For there is a happening for the children of men, and there is a happening ...
4 votes
2 answers
561 views

What will happen prior and after the End of Days?

What will happen prior and after the End of Days? What are the stages leading up to this moment and what kind of events or happenings do they contain? I try to get a clear view on the Jewish view ...
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