Expert: Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner - 5/19/2010

Question
I would like to know where Jews go after death and what is the meaning of seven heavens.

Answer
Dear Gil,

Thanks for writing and I apologize for the delay. We had a death in the family.

There is no definitive answer to your question, while there has been speculation aplenty regarding what happens to the human soul after death.

I recommend in addition to relevant articles in the newest edition of the "Encyclopedia Judaica" the writings of a Jewish theologian and philosopher, who is also one of my most special teachers, Rabbi Neil Gillman. Please read "The Death of Death: Resurrection and Immortality in Jewish Thought" for a survey of these many opinions.

Regarding the "seven heavens," it is one of the speculations about the "structure" if it can be conceived in physical terms.

Here is a comment from an older Jewish encyclopedia:

The Seven Heavens in the Talmud.(see Ps. lxviii. 5).

"There are seven heavens one above the other: (1) Velon [Latin, velum, "curtain"], which is rolled up and down to enable the sun to go in and out; according to Isa. xl. 22, 'He stretched out the heavens as a curtain'; (2) Raḳi'a, the place where the sun, moon, and stars are fixed (Gen. i. 17]; (3) Sheḥakim, in which are the millstones to grind [shaḥak] manna for the righteous (Ps. lxxviii. 23; comp. Midr. Teh. to Ps. xix. 7]; (4) Zebul, the upper Jerusalem, with its Temple, in which Michael offers the sacrifice at the altar [Isa. lxiii. 15; I Kings, viii. 13]; (5) Ma'on. in which dwell the classes of ministering angels who sing by night and are silent by day, for the honor of Israel who serve the Lord in daytime [Deut. xxvi. 15, Ps. xlii. 9]; (6) Makon, in which are the treasuries of snow and hail, the chambers of dew, rain, and mist behind doors of fire [1 Kings, vii. 30; Deut. xxviii. 12]; (7) 'Arabot, where justice and righteousness, the treasures of life and of blessing, the souls of the righteous and the dew of resurrection are to be found. There are the ofanim, the seraphim, and the ḥayyot of holiness, the ministering angels and the throne of glory; and over them is enthroned the great King"

I hope that this begins to help you in your quest and questions.

For myself, and I belief the majority of contemporary Jewish religious thought, we are a faith that is committed to tikkun olam, repairing the world in which we live, making it better for all who live rather than spend our energies and time trying to garner the "credits" to enter a heaven after life - which may or may not exist in any form of the creative suggestions for the past millenia.

Best wishes

Rabbi Dov