- Halacha
- Mysticism and Ayin Hara
Reincarnation
Question
Is the concept of reincarnation contrary to the doctrinal teachings of Orthodox Judaism?
Answer
There is a difference of opinion among our greatest rabbis whether there is reincarnation or not. R. Sa’adya Gaon, R. Yosef Albo, and R. Chasdai Kreskas for example, believe that after life, one goes to the World to Come where his soul enjoys those spiritual pleasures until, if he merits, he reawakens in the Revival of the Dead. They believe there is no reincarnation coming back to this world, as we know it. In contrast, although not mentioned in the Talmud, many of our greatest mainstream rabbis, including the Ramban, R. B’chaye, R. Yizchak Abravanel, and the Zohar explicitly speak of reincarnation, where one may be given the choice to return to this world to “try again”, and improve himself and his free will, rather than undergoing the difficult intensive educational punishment of hell (gehinom) for 12 months. They see this as an occasional answer to the age-old question of why bad things sometimes happen to good people. Like a child compared to an adult, man, compared to G-d, clearly doesn’t see the entire picture of what happened before (maybe in a previous life), nor after (in the World to Come), and accordingly often can’t see the justice or benefit derived from a certain occurrence or life, which is now hidden from him. Sometimes he may even request a little assistance, to return with a certain limitation or handicap which may have prevented him, in a previous life/lives, from improving a particular given field (such as speech, not to slander, etc.). That being said, everyone agrees with the Rambam that it's much more important to focus on improving ourselves in this world rather than thinking about future worlds or future lives.

Consulting Psychics
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Tishrei 14, 5779

Astrology
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 4 Tammuz 5763

Texts Preservations and Torah Codes
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Kislev 26, 5777

Segula & Ain Hara
Various Rabbis | 20 Elul 5764

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

Davening if Hashem knows future
Adar II 25, 5771

Yericho conquest by Yehoshua
Tevet 28, 5771

Ayin hara and Rambam
Tevet 28, 5771

Keeping non-definite chametz and staying in a dorm
Nisan 3, 5771

Popcorn at the cinema
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 8, 5773

Mezuzah for a Catholic Family?
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 15, 5779

On which day may one start wishing "Shabbat Shalom"?
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 9, 5780

No-wedding days
Rabbi David Sperling | Sivan 20, 5772

Employer stealing from / cheating customers
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tevet 18, 5783

Using Father's or Mother's Name in Judaism
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Shevat 4, 5783

Btselem
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tevet 18, 5783
