The Cycle of Life

I start out with a sad commentary. I lost a family member today. The family knew it was coming so we

could brace ourselves, I suppose I could say that. Nevertheless, it's a hard fact of life and we all know that

it is inevitable for all of us.

A reminder that I am not a scholar in Torah, I am not a Rabbi. I have learned a little bit in the two decades

of studying Judaism and Kabbalah. The first thing I will mention is that in Judaism, life is of the

utmost of importance! To dwell on death is wrong but we rather ought to concentrate on life here where

we are! I am sure you have heard or read the words, "la chaim"? It means "to life". We are to appreciate

this wonderful gift that HaShem has given us, even if our life is full of challenges.

Another thing I would like to mention here is that there isn't a whole lot mentioned in the Tanakh about

the after life, when people die and where they go. In Genesis 25, 8 it tells us that Abraham died and was

gathered to his people. The Tanakh also has various verses talking about "sheol" which means a dark place

or pit. I will give some links on the subject below.

In my quest to understand many things about life and death, I have come across many testimonies online

about NDEs or Near Death Experiences. This is when a person dies, literally, and then comes back to life

either naturally or resuscitated. Some people can recall an experience they have had while they were

"expired". Not everyone has the same experience but most say they could see themselves while they

were outside of their body and/or they say a white light or tunnel. Some have said they met family

members or they felt the presence of G-d. Some say they believed this presence was Jesus.

I remember listening to HaRav Ariel bar Tzadok talking about this. We may ask, why are these people

seeing or sensing this entity to be someone who clearly is not G-d? His answer shouldn't be

surprising. If a person lives their life believing in Jesus, then that is what they will experience just after

death. Same goes for other religions. If one is a Buddhist, perhaps they will see Buddha. If someone

follows Muhamad, then perhaps this is who they will see. I have heard and read of people saying that

the place they went to was as real if not more real then earth, the existence here. I have heard and read

that some said they saw such beauty and illuminating light and felt the most awesome love.

I have also heard about the dark side. People seeing tormented souls.

I can not tell you if these things are true, but these people appeared to believe it.

Personally, my thought is why would G-d create us to only have us be non existent after we die? That

doesn't make sense to me at all. That is my opinion. From what I have learned from Torah scholars is

that we all have a purpose and a mission. G-d knows when that time is finished, then we die.

I suppose I would liken the experience on earth to a school. There are tests and challenges and things

that we need to learn and things we must do. Sometimes it's very hard lessons and challenges.

Sometimes we may feel discouraged. But, these are the times when we lean on G-d the most.

Our loved ones move on. They have concluded the chapters of their life and I believe that when it's

our turn, we will be reunited.

LINKS:

The Noahide Accord