Judaism 101: Olam Ha-Ba - The Afterlife

The song, Ride the Train, intrigued me. It is written by an orthodox Jewish composer. He's obviously talking about doing things in this world to prepare for something better in the next one.

I remembered at my mom's funeral, the rabbi said that most Jews do not know what is to come and our tradition teaches that there is nothing besides the existence in this world, but I have done some researching: Judaism does have some thoughts on what is to come. Believing in a just and caring God means that an afterlife does exist and that afterlife is for everyone.

Orthodox Jews believe that one's place in the Olam Ha-Ba (Heaven or The Afterlife) is determined by a merit system based on actions. The righteous of all nations have a share in the Olam Ha-Ba.

"The dust will return to the ground as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it." (Ecclesiastes 12:17)

• Afterlife in Judaism - From Ask the Rabbi, About.com
  
• Jewish Afterlife Beliefs
  
• Olam Ha-Ba: The Afterlife

Sidenote:


The Little Midrash Says Devarim/Deuteronomy discusses missionaries on page 114. It states that missionaries are steering Jews away from the Torah and thus their rewards in Olam Ha-Ba. Wow...I've never would have thought I would see even a mention of missionaries in a Jewish commentary for children.

What's interesting is that missionaries believe they are helping Jews get to Heaven, but that Torah commentary states that missionaries are doing the opposite! How confusing is that?