Yes, Judaism believes in an afterlife that includes concepts similar to "heaven," often called Olam Ha-Ba (The World to Come) or Gan Eden (Garden of Eden), where righteous souls go after death, but Jewish views are diverse, focusing less on precise descriptions and more on the soul's journey, purification, and reunion with God, with emphasis on earthly life, not just an ethereal reward.
Yes, Jews believe in an afterlife in a world beyond the one you're currently living in—sometimes referred to as “heaven.” A rich tradition informs us that there is a sequel to this life that makes sense of everything you're going through in this installment.
Unlike other faiths, Judaism does not define a specific afterlife. They believe in the immortality of the soul, the World to Come, and the resurrection of the dead, however, they do consider that leading an admirable life will help the soul after death.
The Torah teaches us to fight against evil. Jesus taught that the only way to pray to God was to pray through Jesus. Jews believe that anyone can pray to God directly. Jews, however, like Christians, do believe in heaven and hell – we call it olam haba, “the world to come;” or sometimes Gan Eiden, the garden of Eden.
Salvation Through Jesus: The Foundation The Bible does teach that faith in Jesus is the way to salvation—for everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike: John 14:6 (ESV): “Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on What Jews Believe About the Afterlife
What do Jews believe about the end of the world?
So in answer to your question, if you're referring to the original meaning, then yes, Judaism definitely believes in the apocalypse—as in the coming of Moshiach and the resurrection of the dead. (The details of what will happen vary significantly from the prophecies and traditions familiar to other religions.
Greek and Persian culture influenced early Jewish beliefs of an afterlife between the 6th and 4th centuries B.C., as well. The Hebrew Bible, at least its rabbinic interpretation in tractate Sanhedrin, contains frequent references to the resurrection of the dead.
The Mesha Stele bears the earliest known reference (840 BCE) to the Israelite god Yahweh. The name of God used most often in the Hebrew Bible is the Tetragrammaton (Hebrew: יהוה, romanized: YHWH). Jews traditionally do not pronounce it, and instead refer to God as HaShem, literally "the Name".
But, for the most part, according to Jewish tradition, non-jews do partake in the afterlife, subject to some criteria. God only knows exactly what that is. But conceptually, yes, Christians and Muslims have access to the afterlife in theory, just as Jews also have access in theory.
Some Messianic Jews believe Jewish Messiah is the pre-existent Word of God, the mighty God, and the only begotten God. Some congregations do not directly ascribe divinity to Jesus, considering him a man, yet not just a man, fathered by the Holy Spirit, who became the Messiah.
Jewish funerals use simple wooden caskets made without metal parts. Cleveland Jewish Funerals has a variety of traditional caskets that families may choose from.
Not only does Jewish law oppose cremation, but it also gives the community guidelines for a proper Jewish burial. For example, Deuteronomy 21:23 states: “Be sure to bury it that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God's curse.” So, a traditional Jewish burial is completed as quickly as possible.
Expressing condolences in a way that respects Jewish traditions can be comforting for the mourning family. Instead of saying "rest in peace," it is customary to say "may his/her memory be a blessing." This phrase honors the legacy of the deceased and conveys your heartfelt sympathy.
The soul is, indeed, considered the site of the emotions, but not of a spiritual life separate from that of the body, or of a mental or emotional life in conflict with that of the body, it is, rather, the seat of all of man's feelings and desires, physical as well as spiritual.
Arabic-speaking Jews at least do call their god Allah, just like English-speaking Jews call him God, Portuguese-speaking Jews call him Deus, Spanish-speaking (and Judeo-Spanish-speaking) Jews call him Dio, etc. (though more religious Jews speaking all languages will likely just use a Hebrew term like Hashem).
Judaism rejects the belief that Jesus was the awaited messiah, arguing that he did not fulfill messianic prophecies, was not lawfully anointed and was neither divine nor resurrected.
The 10 Rules of Judaism are the Ten Commandments, given by God to Moses, outlining core ethical and religious duties, including believing in one God, avoiding idolatry, honoring parents, keeping the Sabbath, and prohibitions against murder, adultery, stealing, lying (false witness), and coveting. These foundational laws, found in the Torah, guide Jewish life and behavior, establishing a covenant between God and the Jewish people.
Yizkor, a special memorial prayer for the departed, is recited in the synagogue four times a year, following the Torah reading on the last day of Passover, on the second day of Shavuot, on Shemini Atzeret and on Yom Kippur.
In other cultures, viewing the body may be important–to give a sense of closure to mourners. In Jewish culture, public viewing of the dead person is too one-sided and seems like a violation of the dead person's modesty: we can look at the body but the person can't look back.
The Bible teaches that one day the nation of Israel will return to the Lord their God. This will occur by the end of the tribulation and is the purpose for the time of Jacob's trouble. Many passages teach the future conversion of the Jews to Jesus as their Messiah (Psa. 79:1–13; 80:1–19; Isa.
Some Jews believe that they will be judged as soon as they die, while others believe that they will be judged by both God and the Messiah on the Day of Judgement. On this day, some Jews believe that everyone will be resurrected.
