Is there a consistent idea of an after-life in Judaism? If I remember right, there were different sects of Judaism and disagreement over after-life was one of the divisive points. Is there any sort of general consensus on that in Judaism, today? I'm thinking there are certainly pslams that point toward something beyond here. But I'm just curious. Thanks in advance!
http://www.jewfaq.org/olamhaba.htm The answer is YES when you take a literal interpretation of the Torah. I don't believe that the different sects of Judaism (mainly Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform) disagree over whether or not there is an afterlife. I just believe that the Orthodox sect puts more emphasis on it than the Conservative and Reform sects. Where there is disagreement (IMHO of course) between the sects is over how literally does one interpret the Torah. I believe there are similar differences in interpretation of the New Testament among various Christian faiths. Just my two cents worth, as always.
I remember asking my rabbi when I was young what happens after you die. He told me flat out "nobody knows." Kinda shocked me a bit. Then he said "Nobody has been to the dead and come back to let us know. You could go to heaven, be reincarnated back as a flower, or nothing may happen." This is coming from a conservative rabbi. He told me that I was allowed to believe whatever I wanted.
I too love all you guys, in my own restrained, arms-length sort of way. (By the way, there are some notable absences so far in the nicest thread ever. Red rover, red rover...)
