Rabbinics Test 2 Notes PDF

Rabbinics Test 2 Jewish perspective of hell (1) Dennis Prager ​ If God exists there must be an afterlife ​ Ensures God can correct injustices ​ Rewards good deeds ​ Addresses wrongs not rectified in life ​ Afterlife gives eternal significance to moral actions (2) Evidence...

Rabbinics Test 2 Jewish perspective of hell (1) Dennis Prager ​ If God exists there must be an afterlife ​ Ensures God can correct injustices ​ Rewards good deeds ​ Addresses wrongs not rectified in life ​ Afterlife gives eternal significance to moral actions (2) Evidence of the afterlife - zohar ​ Soul ndergoes gehinnom for up to 12 months (longer for the wicked) ​ actions of loved ones (kiddush and good deeds) can elevate the soul’s state (3) Gehinnom - duration & purpose ​ Duration: for most souls up to 12 months (zohar) ○​ Very wicked souls remain longer based on their actions ​ Why is there a limit ○​ Reflects gods mercy and justice ○​ Spiritual purification - not eternal punishment ○​ Purpose: refine the soul to reach a perfected state in the afterlife What helps the soul in gehinnom ​ Reciting kaddish, donating, performing mitzvot in the merit of the deceased ○​ These elevate the soul and ease its purification proess ​ Relationship between living and dead shows interconnectedness where living help dead spiritually and dead remain part of the community and are supported through good deeds ​ Comfort to mourners: provides a way to stay connected to loved ones and offers hope and purpose in honoring the deceased (4) 3 punishments of hell and their justice 1.​ Feeling others pain a.​ Emotional hurt from gossip or suffering caused by killing b.​ Forces the person to face the harm they caused 2.​ Embarrassment before God a.​ Shame for ones sins and their impact b.​ Reflects the accountability 3.​ Seeing failed potential a.​ Witnessing missed opportunities to do good and their effects.  b.​ Emphasizes the responsibility of making positive choices. Heaven (5) Ones actions on earth shape the bliss of their afterlife ​ Reinforces Morality and Purpose: ○​ Actions have lasting spiritual consequences, encouraging us to live morally and create a legacy of goodness. ○​ Emphasizes positively influencing others. ​ Challenges Understanding: ○​ Suggests life’s purpose is interconnected with others, ○​ Not about only personal fulfillment also about collective spirit of humanity (*) Interconnectedness of humanity and long term consequences of our actions ​ Interconnectedness: ○​ Humanity is a web of interrelated actions, where even small deeds can have profound ripple effects. ○​ Our actions influence others across generations, reinforcing collective responsibility. ​ Lasting Impact: ○​ The concept of the butterfly effect highlights how a single good deed can positively affect countless lives. ○​ Encourages us to view our choices as part of a larger, enduring legacy of spiritual and moral growth. Why the soul comes down to this world Why Did Hashem Create the World? ​ To give human souls the greatest good possible closeness to God ​ To bestow the greatest good: closeness to Him. ​ Achieved by souls striving to emulate His perfection. Greatest Good Hashem Gave to Souls: Opportunity to draw close to Him by emulating His perfection through free will - we most serve god by perfecting our character Why Free Will? ​ Allows us to be close to G-d ​ To choose spiritual growth instead of having it imposed. ​ Analogy: Building a business from the ground up = more value and satisfaction. ​ Is Free Will Perfect? - Yes: Allows growth and makes achievements more meaningful. Two souls / human nature Human nature ​ Complex: Balances higher values (wisdom, kindness) and immediate pleasures. ​ Observed struggle: Short-term gratification vs. long-term fulfillment. Two souls ​ Godly Soul: Seeks spiritual growth, lasting impact, and values like wisdom and justice - associated with the mind. ○​ Wisdom: Promotes understanding of what is truly valuable. ○​ Kindness: Builds relationships and contributes to society. ○​ Essential for informed decisions and a harmonious society. ​ Animal Soul: Pursues physical/immediate pleasure and fleeting desires, often contradicting the Godly soul. ○​ Immediate Pleasure and Fleeting Desires: Not inherently bad but negative if dominant. ○​ Negative traits: ​ Anger (Fiery Element): Advice – Practice patience and pause before reacting. ​ Desire (Water Element): Advice – Focus on moderation and self-control. ​ Depression/Laziness (Earthly Element): Advice – Start small tasks or physical activity. ​ Wasting Time/Nihilism (Wind Element): Advice – Set clear goals and find daily purpose. Horse ​ Animal soul (horse): Powerful when controlled but destructive if untamed. ​ Teaches self-discipline to harness impulses for positive outcomes. Main idea behind building a business in relation to soul's journey ​ emphasizes the importance of free will and earning your reward from God Tikkun of the self Main purpose - fixing bad traits ​ Elevates spirituality and ethics. ​ Overcoming traits like anger, jealousy, and laziness leads to self-betterment and contributes to tikkun olam (rectification of the world).