10 Minute Topics: Angels, Demons, and the Afterlife

The next in a weekly series of 10 minute topics teaching about various topics within Judaism. This week's topic is: Angels, Demons, and the Afterlife.

Angels are beings residing in heaven who carry out G-d's will. Angels serve the purpose of G-d in specific circumstances such as wrestling with Jacob and are capable of doing only one job at a time (which is why there were three angels visiting Abraham).

Demons are said to have been created at the twilight of the sixth day of Creation. They are without free will and may only do the bidding of G-d.

Shamayim (Heaven) "was explained as the combination of of sham and mayim (the place where there is water), or esh and mayim (fire and water), and from these two elements, the celestial region was made (Chag. 12a)." There are seven heavens discussed in Jewish texts.

Traditional Judaism believes in Olam Habah (The World To Come). Death is the end of this physical life but it is also the beginning of a spiritual life. Judaism stresses this life which leaves little dogma about the afterlife and room for many beliefs.

Sources:
Angels in Jewish Tradition (http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Judaism/2002/04/Angels-In-Jewish-Tradition.aspx­)

Jewish Encyclopedia: Angelology (http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=1521&letter=A#4352)

Jewish Encyclopedia: Demonology (http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=245&letter=D)

Jewish Demonology: Demon Origins (http://ejmmm2007.blogspot.com/2007/05/jewish-demonology-demon-origins.html)

Everymans Talmud (Schocken Books)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Judaism
• Jewish
• Angels
• Demons
• Afterlife
• Heaven
• Hell
• Gehenna
• Torah
• Reincarnation

[brokendownhoarse]

Thank You for giving a clarity to these subjects.You are a great help.

[becomingjewishorg]

Thank you.

[ArtLoversStudio18]

Your scholarship on this subject is exemplary. Toward the end, you mentioned that the unrighteous spend 12 months in Gehenna. Does this mean that they become righteous and live forever in Paradise?

[becomingjewishorg]

From what I have learned, yes they then go to Paradise. From what I understand only those parts of the soul that need to be cleansed go to Gehenna - not necessarily the entire soul.

Also remember that "12 months" may not mean 365 human days. It could mean more and it could mean less.

[WolfClant]

they say that paradise wont be forever, and yes, they do.