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Question
Shalom Rabbi, do Jews believe in Heaven and if so, who goes, do Jews believe in hell and if so who goes? Does your answer change for Judiasm as it is practiced today as oppossed to the way it was practiced thousands of years ago. THank you, they never taught us this in Hebrew school, only Hebrew. Marc
Hi Marc!
Judaism certainly believes in an afterlife. We don't truly have a Heaven or Hell - just Olam Haba - "The Next World". We believe that a person receives an afterlife commensurate with his deeds in this world. The more mitzvot -- the better time you'll have up there.
;-)
Hope this helps!
Rabbi Ari Enkin
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Rabbi Ari Enkin
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Specialization in Jewish Law and Customs
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Education/Credentials
Rabbi Ari N. Enkin originally from Montreal fulfilled his life-long dream of making aliyah in July 2004 after serving for seven years as a congregational and community rabbi in Montreal, Edmonton, and Winnipeg.
Rabbi Enkin holds both Yoreh-Yoreh and Yadin-Yadin semichas as well as a Masters Degree specializing in Informal Adult Education. He is the author of several seforim including most recently "Dalet Amot - Halachic Perspectives" which discusses over 100 contemporary halachic issues. The first printing quickly sold out and a second revised edition is underway (Gefen Publishing House), as is a second volume in this series. Rabbi Enkin is also a frequent contributor to a number of publications on mostly Halachic topics.
Since making Aliyah Rabbi Enkin has taught at a number of Yeshivot and Seminaries and is currently working as the manager of Cheerfully Changed Financial Services in Modiin. He also serves as the General Editor of the highly acclaimed Hirhurim Website as well as rabbinical advisor to Judaism.about.com.
His lectures are known to be fun, informal, and enlightening appropriate form both laymen and scholars alike.
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