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Near-death experiences? Past-life regression? Reincarnation? Are these sorts of things Jewish?
"Belief in survival of the soul goes against the scientific model, which assumes that all phenomena are physical, are grounded in time, can be measured and have a rational explanation. Although there is no proof of heaven, there is evidence worthy of careful examination.... I invite you to read the many stories ahead that convey my own deliberations in the jury box and encourage you to come to your own conclusions."
—from the Preface
Includes discussion guide for book clubs and study groups.
With candor, questioning and sharp-eyed scholarship, Rabbi Elie Kaplan Spitz recounts personal experiences and the firsthand accounts others have shared with him, which propelled his own journey from skeptic to believer that, indeed, the soul does survive bodily death.
From near-death experiences to reincarnation, past-life memory to the work of mediums, Rabbi Spitz explores what we are really able to know about the afterlife, and draws on Jewish texts to share that belief in these concepts—so often approached with reluctance—is in fact true to Jewish tradition.
In this updated second edition, Rabbi Spitz looks squarely at both sides of the issues, addressing, for example, the discrepancies in afterlife and reincarnation accounts. A new preface explains the impact the book had when first published and the ongoing conversation about the nature of our existence that has resulted.
"Very worthwhile.... People do not know enough about the Jewish point of view on death and dying, and people need to know that reincarnation and afterlife is a fact. It's about time and the time is now. This is a brilliant book that keeps you fascinated."
—Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
"A wise, moving, carefully thought out and provocative first-person exploration into the immortality of the soul. Indispensable for anyone who has ever wondered about the mysteries of life before and after this one. A beautiful book."
—Lawrence Kushner,rabbi-in-residence, Hebrew Union College; author,Invisible Lines of Connection: Sacred Stories of the Ordinary and other books
“His initial reticence to believe people's stories about life after death and past incarnations ... gives this book credibility even for skeptical philosophers like me.... Rabbi Spitz has me wondering!”
—Rabbi Elliot N. Dorff, PhD,rector and professor of philosophy,American Jewish University
“Elegantly written.... Rabbi Elie Spitz’s 'journey’ will inspire its readers to follow his example and search for what is meaningful in Jewish life and learning.”
—Elie Wiesel
“See your (future) world in this life.... Read Rabbi Elie Spitz’s book and experience what your own intuition corroborates and you will not fear death at the end of your life’s journey.”
—Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi (z"l), author, Davening: A Guide to Meaningful Jewish Prayer
“Rabbi Spitz has taken a fascinating journey from skepticism to hope. No matter our ultimate conclusion, this record of that journey is certain to tantalize, intrigue and uplift the questing spirit.”
—Rabbi David Wolpe, Sinai Temple, Los Angeles; author, Making Loss Matter: Creating Meaning in Difficult Times
“A path-breaking book. When Elie Spitz writes about Judaism and reincarnation, he not only examines relevant texts drawn from two thousand years of teaching, he integrates them with his own remarkable experiences. This is a book that has the capacity to expand your soul.”
—Joseph Telushkin, author, Jewish Literacy and other works
“Whether or not we believe, having the conversation about the continued existence of the soul contributes to the healing. Opening to the possibility that there is more than a rigid and unpenetrable curtain between the worlds allows us to approach loss with questions. These call forth creative possibilities for continuing our connection with those we have lost.”
—Rabbi Anne Brener, LCSW, internationally recognized bereavement therapist; author, Mourning & Mitzvah: A Guided Journey to Walking the Mourner’s Path Through Grief to Healing
“Rabbi Spitz is not your grandfather’s old rabbi. He explores issues of life and death that go back to our earliest traditions and go forward into the next millennium. He proves that Judaism is a many branched menorah with something important for everyone. He shows how to explore the deepest reaches of mind, body, and spirit—and do it Jewishly.”
—Alan M. Dershowitz, author, The Vanishing American Jew
“Rabbi Spitz has treated a topic that many approach with doubts in a learned, cogent, Jewishly informed and, above all, human manner. His personal touch, as well as his mastery of both classical Jewish and modern historical, philosophical and psychological writings on the topic of the soul and its transmigration makes for challenging and thoughtful reading.... Indicates that Judaism has a great deal to say about a subject that is all-too-often exclusively associated in the popular mind with eastern religions. Readers of all stripes and faiths will be provoked and moved by this book.”
—Rabbi David Ellenson, PhD, president, Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion
“With intelligence and compassion, Rabbi Spitz has written a beautiful book that explores one of life’s great mysteries—what exists beyond life. His look at the subject is so compelling because he draws both on ancient Jewish tradition and on the contemporary experience of Americans.... An important book that will change your thinking about life—and the afterlife.”
—Ari L. Goldman, author, The Search for God at Harvard
“A wonderful book on the afterlife. It fills a great void in this area. It is carefully researched and articulately presented. I loved it.”
—Rabbi Abner Weiss, PhD, author, Connecting to God: Ancient Kabbalah and Modern Psychology
“Elie Spitz provides a map for some very tricky territory. With admirable candor and real openness of heart, he leads his readers through contemporary and traditional views of the soul, its nature and purposes.... He is clear without being simplistic, inspiring without beating a drum for his views. I know of no book on the soul which so seamlessly blends the personal and the scholarly. Rabbi Spitz brings to this subject a passion and clarity which will engage and enlighten his readers.”
—Peter Pitzele, PhD, author, Our Fathers’ Wells: A Personal Encounter with the Myths of Genesis
“Elie Spitz’s personal quest for an understanding of the soul and afterlife benefits all who read this remarkable book. In the tradition of Dr. Brian Weiss, he brings credibility and a religious context to belief in reincarnation. Even the skeptic will be swayed by Rabbi Spitz’s personal experiences.”
—Rabbi Stewart Vogel, coauthor, New York Times bestseller The Ten Commandments
“Rabbi Elie Spitz masterfully blends scholarship, inspiration and information.... His courageous, heartfelt journey into unknown territory will most assuredly survive with his soul.”
—Nancy Rosanoff, author, Knowing When It’s Right
“Rabbi Spitz has taken our most profound human question and given us an exciting journey into religious, historical and present-day answers.... This inspirational book shows us just how important living our purpose is.”
—Carol Adrienne, PhD,author,The Purpose of Your Life
“In Does the Soul Survive? Rabbi Spitz allows all of us to take that same journey of soul: to be able to look without fear through the healing lens of faith at what it means to be alive, what it means to be human, what it means to be God’s child. Anyone who reads this book will find it, as I did, uplifting, insightful and profoundly true. It transforms all our lives for the better.”
—Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, dean, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, American Jewish University; author, Passing Life’s Tests: Spiritual Reflections on the Trial of Abraham, the Binding of Isaac
Foreword by
Brian L. Weiss, MD xiii
Preface to the Second Edition xv
Acknowledgments xxv
Introduction xxvii
1 Telepathy: A Window on the Soul's Survival 1
2 Near-Death Experiences (NDEs): The Literature 11
3 What Is Soul? 21
4 Survival of the Soul: Judaism's Views 31
5 What Happens After I Die? 39
6 Traditional Judaism on Resurrection of the Dead 47
7 Past-Life Regression: An Introduction 55
8 Training with Dr. Brian Weiss 63
9 Reincarnation: Judaism’s Views 79
10 Tales of Reincarnation: The Role of the Rebbe 93
11 Mediums: Judaism’s Position 99
12 Psychic Gifts of a Medium: James Van Praagh 107
13 Weighing the Evidence 121
14 Discrepancies in Afterlife and Reincarnation Accounts 131
15 The Impact of Affirming the Soul’s Survival 141
16 Cultivating the Soul 153
Conclusion: Live Now Gratefully and Responsibly 163
Appendix: Torah and Immortality of the Soul—A Hot Debate 169
Discussion Guide 191
Notes 197
Glossary 229
Selected Bibliography 235
Index 243