Expert: Ovadiah ben Avraham - 2/10/2006

Question
My question pertains to what I have understood to be an orthodox Judaic belief in the preexistence of the soul. This stems from a phrase that I have heard quoted in Jewish theology a number of times, that the soul, before and after its birth spends its time "basking in the rays of G-d." This interests me deeply, and I would like to learn more about it, and also the source and origin of this belief.
Shalom,
Sarah

Answer
Sarah,
Thank for the interesting question. Traditional tells us that when God created everything, this included all of the souls that would ever live. Further, that all Jewish souls (both natural and convert) were present at Mount Sinai and joined our brethren in exclaiming, "We will hear and we will do all that the Lord our God commands!" I'm sure there is some Kabbalistic or other mystical support for the tradition, but I honestly do not know it. Hope this helps. Shalom!