Despite opinions endorsing reincarnation (gilgul) God told Adam he will return to dust. (Gen. 3:19) A Rabbi vs. God: you choose. Also of interest: those creations that go through a metamorphosis still die with no return. How much more so will man remain dead who doesn’t possess any metamorphic design.
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Volume VIII, No. 29...July 10, 2009 www.mesora.org/jewishtimes Download and Print Free 0U;OPZ0ZZ\e Letters Parsha: pinchas 1-5 Reincarnation 1,6,7 Reincarnation 8,9 the LK\JH[PUNZjewishtimes Reincarnation: worldwide A Fact Arrived at through Rational Study? Or Simply a Cherished Belief? (page 6)
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These are not places which from our shout "reincarnation" in bold letters but they Reincarnation do form part of a greater picture. Alberto: Shalom. In the past, we talked about Ecclesiastics 1:4: "A generation departs and READERS conversion, and the Brazilian Noahide communi- a generation comes." If this would refer to the ties, as I got your positive answer to be a Rabbinic normal flow of generations, a generation reference to us in that time. I'm still checking your cannot come after the previous generation has web site and learning from it, and also sharing gone. Rather this refers to the same soul(s) those precious instructions with Noahides and returning in consecutive lives. Jews around me. Job 1:21: "Naked I left my mother's womb But I'm still having trouble in understanding and naked I shall return there." Who comes your position against Reincarnation. I think it is back to their mom's womb? Enter reincarna- because my understanding of it is not just from tion. Jewish sources (if I may say so) but from others as These are just a few samples. There are a well. By this, your criticism does not seem to number of such places scattered throughout affect reincarnation itself. To solve this trouble I'm the Torah. The bulk of what we know about reading a lot about it, as I read your assertions reincarnation is from the Oral Torah and these about it. are just a few places where this dynamic is I know that Maimonides instructed that man evident in an almost offhand manner in the should not believe in things unless they are proved written part. logically, apprehended by the senses and received The question remains though: Reincarnation from prophets and sages. I agree with that. is a major theological issue. Why such a major But I noticed that when you mention reincarna- issue is not explicitly discussed in the Written tion, you mention as metempsychosis, since this is Torah? Allow me to point out, however, that the doctrine attacked by the Vilna Gaon. It seems neither does the Written Torah include any that for you, reincarnation and metempsychosis is information about what happens to the soul the same thing. But as I understand the thing, after death, heaven and hell, the nature of the Reincarnation is not exactly the same thing as soul--or even much about God for that matter. metempsychosis. In fact they oppose each other. The Five Books of Moses simply cannot be My point is that Reincarnation could be proved seen as a theological work. It is principally a via logic. As a spiritualist doctrine, Reincarnation practical guide, couched in story form. As for Letters is demonstrated by logic alone, as God Himself, the rest of the Scriptures, even Proverbs and can't be proven "physically", but only by way of the Book of Job read as commentary on tacitly Mesora invites your questions, understanding or logic. I mean, all spiritualist assumed knowledge. letters in response to articles, doctrines cannot be proven, unless by logic, since It is quite apparent from reading these texts your own thoughts, or your we have not means to "show" the spiritual world that Jewish Theology (which is all that the or dimension while we are in this world. Kabbalah is), was meant to be transmitted suggestions for the JewishTimes. Let me present the answer I received from Rabbi orally, not in writing. “The only poor question XXXX about it: He says as follows: True, many of the ancient cultures transmit- is the one not asked.” ted their theology and mystical teachings in "The Torah was given to Moses, by God, writing, including the ancient Egyptians and Email us: accompanied by an oral counterpart. The Oral Hindus. But the difference is quite simple: [email protected] Torah is just as much God's word as the Ancient Egypt, India and the like were Written Torah. As the years passed, the sages (continued on next page) ? 6 Volume VIII, No. 29...July 10, 2009 www.Mesora.org/JewishTimes (cont. from page 6) NoahidesLetters illiterate societies, save for a small number of roaming the Earth. To suggest this denies reality. Earth. And Ibn Ezra teaches this means the grave. priestly elite. When that elite wished to An intelligent and plain meaning – also supported So what propelled this Rabbi to oppose some of transmit secrets for the initiated, they commit- by reality – is that generations depart the greatest minds? Certainly, he has not compiled ted it to writing--and such forms of writing Earth...permanently. It does not say that expired deep and voluminous works like those composed that could only be deciphered by the initiated. generations return. Furthermore, the Rabbis teach by Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Metsudas Dovid. Of The Jews, on the other hand were uniquely a that a Torah verse cannot be interpreted against its course, these giants hold no monopoly on God's literate society. To read Hebrew, you only plain meaning. Suggesting this verse refers to wisdom. Yet, when someone suggests an idea needed to master 22 letters--as opposed to the reincarnation, violates the Rabbis' words. It is that's not only different, but the exact opposite of hundreds or even thousands of glyphs used in contrary to reason, to reality, and leads one on a the Rishonim's collective view, we are startled. several ancient scripts. The common Jewish path where imagination outweighs clear percep- This is compounded by Rashi's statement that "I child in the ancient world was expected to be tion. shall return there doesn't refer to the womb". Rashi literate. Therefore, those matters that could If this Rabbi were to grasp the context, he would wished to make it quite clear hat man does not easily be misunderstood, distorted and realize that King Solomon is steering man away return to the womb as this Rabbi suggested. So misused had to be transmitted orally. from following the immortality fantasy. In the this point is if gravity, and not innocuous. This is especially true of reincarnation. As previous verse (1:3), the king teaches that one Rabbi Moshe Cordovero asserted, "Those should not seek out fantasy in his labors..."What When any person possesses an emotional wish, who know do not tell and those who tell do more is there to man in all his labors that he toils he will distort even what is plainly simple, so as to not know." In other words, the secrets of under the sun?" "Under the sun" refers to man's maintain his cherished beliefs. But this is the exact reincarnation are meant to be held only by search for a happiness that is earthbound. Man opposite of what is required in true Torah study. those who can be trusted not to spill the beans. seeks earthbound happiness as he truly denies his Torah study requires the student to display I hope that I've been helpful today. mortality. Therefore, the king – in is attempt to complete humility, leaving all preconceived direct man away from the immortality fallacy and notions at the door and accept 1) what the words Yours truly, Rabbi XXXX" towards true happiness – warns man against say, 2) what reason dictates and 3) what reality seeking out earthbound happiness by saying displays. This Rabbi ignored all three. "What benefit is there?" King Solomon experi- One must examine him or herself as to why one mented with all pleasures, luxuries, and pursuits. enjoys baseless beliefs. Perhaps here, reincarna- He did so in order to set an example for all tion allows the person to live irresponsibly and Mesora: Alberto, the Rabbi you quote says, mankind by sharing his firsthand experiences. without culpability, since he always has a "second "There are many concepts which are alluded to in Having arrived at the conclusion that earthbound chance". But as we said many times before, the Written Law but were only recorded fully in pleasures are fleeting and unsatisfying as an end, Moses (Deut . 30:15,19) offered the Jews a choice subsequent writings. This does not mean that they he warns man against following his fantasies and and pick life OR death. He did not say they could are any less God's word. God, in his unfathomable the foolish masses. He tells man "generation have both, i.e., earthbound life after death. God wisdom, decided that they be recorded that way." comes and go", meaning, "you too do not remain too in many cases says that "so and so slept with To suggest "God, in his unfathomable wisdom, long on Earth...do not seek to render this temporal his fathers". And our great prophets are seen decided that they be recorded that way" is baseless stay, into a timeless destination. Generations come crying for their deceased fathers, embalming and arrogant. The only works that lay claim to a and go." them, laying them to rest, mourning them...all God-given status are the Five Books of Moses, In fact, this verse teaches the exact opposite of knowing that their embalming, mourning and Prophets, Writings and the Oral Law – the what the Rabbi wished this verse to mean. It burial were justified. They are not coming back. Mishna. But subsequent to Sinai's Written and teaches that man's Earthly stay is temporal, and This being so clearly stated in Torah, it is alarming Oral Laws...and to the writings of the Prophets, if occurs but once. that Rabbis – those directing others – ignore it. any human writes his thoughts on these works, such writings in no way obtain a divine character, Job 1:21: "Naked I left my mother's womb and This type of approach, where Rabbis and Jews as this Rabbi wrongly suggests. For if we follow naked I shall return there." parrot others, with no grounds for their positions; this Rabbi's view, Jesus' writings could lay claim Metsudas Dovid says with these words, Job where they speak contrary to the Torah's very to Divine origin. This point is vital to the continua- admits he will die in the same, poor (naked) state words...severely diseases Torah and Judaism. tion of Judaism. This Rabbi abandons the being stripped of all possessions...just as he was at This path strays from God's words, and favors teachings and traditions of our great Rabbis and birth. Metsudas Dovid says, as our ultimate Rebbes and the masses instead. Prophets. destination of the grave is understood by all men, "If the Rebbe said it, it cannot be wrong", "If so The Rabbi also accuses other cultures of the last word of this verse "there" suffices to many Jews do it, it cannot be wrong", etc. Jews illiteracy, when in fact, it is he who is illiterate, as I convey this point. One need not say he shall return today are so insecure, they cannot act indepen- shall now show you. to the"grave", but simply, I shall return "there". dently, if it means others withdraw their approval. From Metsudas Dovid's final remarks, we learn a They cannot accept that a man, is a man. A Rabbi The Rabbi quotes Ecclesiasties 1:4: "A genera- ridicule of ay person who cannot grasp this errs too. We must not deify man. tion departs and a generation comes, but the obvious destination. But the Rabbi you cited feels world stands forever." this means he will return to the womb! Unbeliev- The Three Weeks just commenced, recalling the This means what it says: generations come an able. Why didn't this Rabbi read the Rishonim, our destruction of the original Ten Commandments. go. People are born, they die, and new generations great Sages? Not one offers this opinion. What will you do to reverse Torah's decay: will arise...NEW generations of NEW people. We Declaring this verse teaches reincarnation, this you too follow reputations and masses, or will you have never witnesses a person or generation dying Rabbi also opposes Rashi and Ibn Ezra. Rashi consult God's Torah before accepting and spread- and then finding those who expired once again says Job's return to "there" means the dust of the ing ideas? Q 7 Volume VIII, No. 29...July 10, 2009 www.Mesora.org/JewishTimes NoahidesLetters 4. In sefer Hakuzari, the wise man openly totally different spiritual entities, by quality Refuting states to the king that any descriptions about and quantity. He also warns against equating afterlife are not discussed by Chazal, but found the human or animal soul in any way, stating Reincarnation in other religions, and are nothing but a human that this led many to serious philosophical fantasy. errors. How strange to the Jewish eye are the Boris G. Yuabov: Dear Rabbi Moshe Ben- ancient Egyptian or Greek pictures of human- Chaim, Thank you very much for very interest- 5. Chazal instructed us to say every morning ized animals or animalized humans. How ing discussions. I always felt very lonely in my “Elokai neshama shenatata bi tehora hi.” That strange to a Jewish mind are these ideas. belief that reincarnation is not supported by statement of Chazal excludes ideas of reincar- (Review Bereshit with commentators to Tanach, Talmud, and Midrashim, as well as nation, but openly speaks of resurrection. “Naase adam betzalmeinu kidmuteinu.”) Gaonic tradition, Rashi and Rambam and From that statement it becomes clear that a others. Thank you for speaking out loud about soul is created out of nothing (barata) for 11. Ramban mentions the possibility of it. I have noticed that you quote Rav Saadia individual use, and not for multiple recycling. gilgul in explanation to the book of Job. He primarily with extrapolation from Sforno on explains the words of Elihu as referring to Sefer Devarim. I’d like to add many other 6. Proponents of reincarnation feel that reincarnation that can happen only 2-3 times. sources that directly or indirectly refute concept of gilgul is essential in understanding Chazal however state openly that words of reincarnation. the idea “Tzadik ve ra lo” (evil that happens to Elihu refer to gravely ill, but not a dead patient the righteous) as well as suffering of innocent that recovers. 1. Reincarnation is not mentioned anywhere children. But Chazal tell us quite opposite that in Tanach, Talmud, or Midrashim where as “Tzadik ve ra lo” implies that Tzadik has inner 12. Sefer Hayekarim (Rabbi Yosef Albo) numerous other ideas about afterlife are deficiency that needs to be addressed and that who was aware of the statements in the Zohar, discussed. The only one who sees evidence of suffering in fact is not just form of punishment nevertheless rejects the opinion of reincarna- gilgul (reincarnation) in Tanach, Talmud, or but an opportunity to reveal to him his own tion by means of logical argument, and even Midrashim is strong BELIEVER of that idea. defects (see book of Job with commentaries, points out to the thought that made some think- But that is similar to Christian philosopher see also More Nevuchim and Taniya) and that ers accept the idea of reincarnation. who sees idea of trinity in pasuk Shema children suffer for sins of their parents until Yisrael. (Green glasses will easily make entire age of 12-13. Once again there is no smell of 13. Rav Poalim (Rabbi Itzchak ben Latif) world green in observer’s eyes). The only reincarnation in words of Chazal. I am aware page 9 sentence 21 states, “every soul that gilgul that is discussed in Talmud is gilgul of the statement of Zohar about gilgul, but that comes to the world is brand new and even if shevua (when person makes additional swear- in my opinion is yet another one of numerous, it’s similar to another soul it’s still different ing in bet din). strong arguments that Zohar is of very contro- from it and idea of gilgul is already refuted.” versial origin and unlikely to be work of 2. Statements by proponents of reincarnation Chazal. 14. Some feel that only reincarnation can that it was hidden and unknown subject are truly explain mitzvah of yibum. However, this historically false. (Many nations had that belief 7. Some suggest that statement “Pinchas hu is so only if you believe in reincarnation. If you for thousands of years and many authors - Eliyahu” refers to idea of reincarnation. But don’t, this mitzvah makes perfect sense Greek and others – had written about it explic- that is at least naive. Chazal mention “Pinchas without idea of reincarnation (see Moreh itly) yet Chazal never cared to mention it even hu Eliyahu” from the possibility of Eliyahu Nevuchim regarding mitzvah of yibum). once. Making old Platonic, Egyptian, Hindu, being a cohen (see Gemara or Midrash were or Buddhist belief into Jewish belief is not Rabbis ask Eliyahu “are not the master a 15. See the opinion of recent authorities such called revelation of secrets, but philosophical Cohen” see Rashi there) I don’t know of any as Hegyonei Uziel [HaRav Ben Zion Uziel] plagiarism. proponent of gilgul that would suggest that Vol. 1 pg. 371 and Rav Yosef Kapach (pirush kehuna can be transmitted by gilgul. on Emunot va deot) 3. In the text of prayer, Chazal never state reincarnation as form of punishment. All 8. Rashi to sefer Bereshit 2:6 clearly states These are only a few points out of many that mentions of gilgul in prayers are later additions that animals are not subject to divine prove that reincarnation is not from Chazal but by anonymous editors. For example compare judgment, as suggested by proponents of a medieval novelty adapted ether from Plato text of Yom Kippur prayer in Mishna Torah, reincarnation of a human soul into the animal. and Pythagoras (most likely together with Old Taimani text, or text of Rav Amram Gaon many other “kabalistic” ideas) or from Hindu with today’s Sephardic text. Pay careful 9. Chazal openly rejected opinion of Tzedu- or Buddhist sources. The rise of Neo- attention to “al chet shechatanu lefaneicha.” It kim that Shore HaNiskal (the stoned bull) is a Platonism in Western Europe of 13-15 century goes in alphabetical order, from alef to tav, and “punishment to the bull”; rather it is a punish- affected very deeply, not only the Jewish, but back. Each letter has one corresponding ment to the owner who will now loose his also the gentile world. And even though some statement. Letter Gimel however, has two property. Proponents of reincarnation Rabbis don’t find it conflicting with the funda- statements assigned to it, one of which is gilgul however, are clearly favoring opinion of mentals of Judaism and they embrace it, there statement. Anyone can see that this is a later Tzedukim. is no mitzvah or chiyuv to believe in it, addition to the prayer. For why would original because it’s not from Chazal. Moreover one author break his own rule and assign two 10. Rambam, in his Eight Chapters, makes a that rejects the belief in this idea is clearly in statements to letter Gimel, while shortchang- clear and unequivocal statement that soul of no violation of Torah; on the contrary, such a ing all other letters. the human being and soul of the animal are person can be called a strong follower of (continued on next page) 8 Volume VIII, No. 29...July 10, 2009 www.Mesora.org/JewishTimes (cont. from page 8) NoahidesLetters authentic tradition of Chazal with all honors that come with it. http://www.mesora.org/subscriptions My fellow Jews, brothers and sisters, Torah http://www.mesora.org/subscriptions prohibits us to speak lashon hara even if it’s http://www.mesora.org/subscriptions true, even with the best intentions, even if it’s a praise. The best and in my opinion only way to http://www.mesora.org/subscriptions accomplish that is not to discuss a person, group of people or other particulars, but to http://www.mesora.org/subscriptions discuss ideas. Ideas can and should be discussed, criticized, rejected, accepted, and http://www.mesora.org/subscriptions scrutinized. This is what our Talmud is all http://www.mesora.org/subscriptions about. This, at no point, is diminishing the person or group of people that expresses this http://www.mesora.org/subscriptions idea. As an example, 99.9% of Halachic and philosophical opinions of Rabbi Shimon ben http://www.mesora.org/subscriptions Yochai are rejected by Talmud; however they constantly refer to him as one of the greatest http://www.mesora.org/subscriptions Sages. We should never allow ourselves to mix http://www.mesora.org/subscriptions discussions of ideas, with discussions of personalities. Naming authors of statements http://www.mesora.org/subscriptions can help only on the level of belief and trust, but on the level of understanding, naming http://www.mesora.org/subscriptions authors has absolutely no bearing. Having said that, I’d like to state that any names of the Rabbis and books mentioned above are there for quick reference of ideas and for indication that idea of gilgul is not universally accepted. If anyone chooses to accept the concept of iPhoneDevelopers reincarnation because of its acceptance by many, relatively late Jewish scholars, he/she is on the level of trust and belief, and his/her arguments are useless on the level of under- standing truth. At the same time, any logical statements are useless for pure believer. It’s 800,000,000 important to note that classical Judaism limits downloaded apps our beliefs to words of prophets and tradition of Chazal. All other ideas are not obligatory. Dear readers, if you can, count how many 37,000,000 beliefs Torah prohibits, and how little it leaves iPhone/iPod users for realm of belief. See how Torah encourages knowledge and understanding. This in fact is one of the key differences between Judaism ...which explains why and other religions. May God bless us with numerous industry leaders understanding to differentiate between truth have developed iPhone and its opposite. apps, and why you should. Thank you, Boris G. Yuabov Contact us today. A few million customers want to meet you. www.iPhoneDevelopers.info 9