(ז) וַיִּיצֶר֩ ה' אֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶת־הָֽאָדָ֗ם עָפָר֙ מִן־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה וַיִּפַּ֥ח בְּאַפָּ֖יו נִשְׁמַ֣ת חַיִּ֑ים וַֽיְהִ֥י הָֽאָדָ֖ם לְנֶ֥פֶשׁ חַיָּֽה׃
(7) Then the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
(ז) וְיָשֹׁ֧ב הֶעָפָ֛ר עַל־הָאָ֖רֶץ כְּשֶׁהָיָ֑ה וְהָר֣וּחַ תָּשׁ֔וּב אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר נְתָנָֽהּ׃
(7) And the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.
ויפח באפיו נשמת חיים" – ברא גופו מן הארץ ונפשו מן השמים. ובשעת מיתתו חלק הארץ חוזר לארץ וחלק השמים חוזר לשמים.
Midrash HaGadol, Bereishit 2:7
“He blew within his nostrils the soul of life” – He created his body from the land, and his spirit from the heavens. And at the time of his death, the part which comes from the land returns to the land, and the part which comes from the heavens returns to the heavens.
Deuteronomy 33:6; Targum Onkelos ibid. – Moshe (Moses) blesses Reuven (who had long since died) that he should not die “a second death.”
Let Reuven live, and not die.
Let Reuven live an eternal life, and let him not die a second death. [Meaning: let Reuven not require the rectification of reincarnation, which would cause him to die a second death.]...
When brothers dwell together and one of them dies and has no child, the widow shall not remarry to one not of his kin; her brother-in-law shall come to her and take her to himself as a wife and perform the levirate marriage. And it shall be that the first-born son that she bears shall succeed in the name of his dead brother, that his name not be blotted out from Israel.
Let Reuven live, and not die.
Let Reuven live an eternal life, and let him not die a second death. [Meaning: let Reuven not require the rectification of reincarnation, which would cause him to die a second death.]...
When brothers dwell together and one of them dies and has no child, the widow shall not remarry to one not of his kin; her brother-in-law shall come to her and take her to himself as a wife and perform the levirate marriage. And it shall be that the first-born son that she bears shall succeed in the name of his dead brother, that his name not be blotted out from Israel.
Zohar, Vol. III, p. 215b
This is the secret of reincarnation.
[The son born to the husband’s brother from his deceased brother’s wife is a reincarnation of the deceased brother.]
This is the secret of reincarnation.
[The son born to the husband’s brother from his deceased brother’s wife is a reincarnation of the deceased brother.]
Ramban, Bereishit 38:8
Rather, the matter is a great secret, from the secrets of the Torah in the genealogy of mankind, which is known to the eyes of seers, to whom Hashem has given eyes to see and ears to hear … and the one who is wise will understand. [The Ramban is referring to the secret of reincarnation.]
Rather, the matter is a great secret, from the secrets of the Torah in the genealogy of mankind, which is known to the eyes of seers, to whom Hashem has given eyes to see and ears to hear … and the one who is wise will understand. [The Ramban is referring to the secret of reincarnation.]
Exodus 20:5; Zohar, Vol. II, p. 91b
“I keep in mind the transgression of the fathers for [their] descendants, to the third and fourth [generation].”
There is one tree [soul], which is planted [in a body] once, twice, three times, and four times, and is punished for the transgressions of the first [incarnation]. The father, the son, the third, and the fourth generation, are all one [soul], which has not been rectified and has not even tried to rectify itself.
“I keep in mind the transgression of the fathers for [their] descendants, to the third and fourth [generation].”
There is one tree [soul], which is planted [in a body] once, twice, three times, and four times, and is punished for the transgressions of the first [incarnation]. The father, the son, the third, and the fourth generation, are all one [soul], which has not been rectified and has not even tried to rectify itself.
Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah.org − According to the Vilna Gaon, the Book of Yonah
In addition to the factual, true account of Yonah’s mission, the Vilna Gaon (throughout his commentary to Sefer Yonah) perceives an allegorical interpretation within the text. Yonah is the neshamah (soul), which is charged with a mission to fulfill in this world: perfecting itself. The neshamah boards a “vessel” to journey through this world: namely, the body. But the person tries to flee from God and avoid fulfilling His charge. Eventually, the individual is “swallowed up” and departs from this world, leaving his task unfinished. What happens after that? “And the Word of God came to Yonah a second time, saying: ‘Arise! Go to Nineveh … ’” (Yonah 3:1-2). The soul is sent back to earth, to finally accomplish its intended mission.
In addition to the factual, true account of Yonah’s mission, the Vilna Gaon (throughout his commentary to Sefer Yonah) perceives an allegorical interpretation within the text. Yonah is the neshamah (soul), which is charged with a mission to fulfill in this world: perfecting itself. The neshamah boards a “vessel” to journey through this world: namely, the body. But the person tries to flee from God and avoid fulfilling His charge. Eventually, the individual is “swallowed up” and departs from this world, leaving his task unfinished. What happens after that? “And the Word of God came to Yonah a second time, saying: ‘Arise! Go to Nineveh … ’” (Yonah 3:1-2). The soul is sent back to earth, to finally accomplish its intended mission.
Ramchal (Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto), Derech Hashem 1:2:1-1:3:2, Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan translation, Feldheim Publishers
God’s purpose in Creation was to bestow of His good to another … His wisdom therefore decreed that the nature of this true benefaction be His giving created things the opportunity to attach themselves to Him to the greatest degree possible for them.
God’s wisdom, however, decreed that for such good to be perfect, the one enjoying it must be its master. That is, he must earn it for himself … man must earn his perfection through his own free will and desire … It was necessary, therefore, for man to be given free will, to be balanced between good and evil and not compelled toward either.
In order that God’s goal best be achieved, the Highest Wisdom decreed that man should consist of two opposites. These are his pure spiritual soul and his unenlightened physical body. Each one is drawn toward its nature, so that the body inclines toward the material, while the soul leans toward the spiritual.
The two are then in constant battle. If the soul prevails, it not only elevates itself but the body as well, and the individual thereby attains his destined perfection.
God’s purpose in Creation was to bestow of His good to another … His wisdom therefore decreed that the nature of this true benefaction be His giving created things the opportunity to attach themselves to Him to the greatest degree possible for them.
God’s wisdom, however, decreed that for such good to be perfect, the one enjoying it must be its master. That is, he must earn it for himself … man must earn his perfection through his own free will and desire … It was necessary, therefore, for man to be given free will, to be balanced between good and evil and not compelled toward either.
In order that God’s goal best be achieved, the Highest Wisdom decreed that man should consist of two opposites. These are his pure spiritual soul and his unenlightened physical body. Each one is drawn toward its nature, so that the body inclines toward the material, while the soul leans toward the spiritual.
The two are then in constant battle. If the soul prevails, it not only elevates itself but the body as well, and the individual thereby attains his destined perfection.
Rabbi Eliyahu de Vidas, Reishit Chochmah, Sha’ar HaYirah # 13
Why is reincarnation necessary for the soul since it gets purified in Gehinnom anyway? My teacher (Remak) explained that there are two reasons for reincarnation: (1) because a person may be lacking in the observance of certain commandments which are needed for perfection. Gehinnom can only purify, but not add that which is lacking; (2) Reincarnation can correct and purify things that Gehinnom cannot purify. This is because not all sins can be purified in Gehinnom; therefore a person must return to the world to fulfill his mission of perfection.
Why is reincarnation necessary for the soul since it gets purified in Gehinnom anyway? My teacher (Remak) explained that there are two reasons for reincarnation: (1) because a person may be lacking in the observance of certain commandments which are needed for perfection. Gehinnom can only purify, but not add that which is lacking; (2) Reincarnation can correct and purify things that Gehinnom cannot purify. This is because not all sins can be purified in Gehinnom; therefore a person must return to the world to fulfill his mission of perfection.
Zohar, Vol. I, p. 186b
As long as a person is unsuccessful in fulfilling his purpose in this world, the Holy One, Blessed be He, uproots him and replants him over and over again.
As long as a person is unsuccessful in fulfilling his purpose in this world, the Holy One, Blessed be He, uproots him and replants him over and over again.
Sefer HaBahir 195
To explain why good things happen to one righteous person, while bad things happen to another is because the latter did evil in a previous [life], and is now experiencing the consequences … This can be compared to a person who planted a vineyard and hoped to grow sweet grapes, but instead, sour grapes grew. He saw that his planting and harvest were not successful so he tore it out. He cleaned out the sour grape vines and planted again. When he saw that his planting was not successful, he tore it up and planted it again.
To explain why good things happen to one righteous person, while bad things happen to another is because the latter did evil in a previous [life], and is now experiencing the consequences … This can be compared to a person who planted a vineyard and hoped to grow sweet grapes, but instead, sour grapes grew. He saw that his planting and harvest were not successful so he tore it out. He cleaned out the sour grape vines and planted again. When he saw that his planting was not successful, he tore it up and planted it again.
Ramchal, Derech Hashem 2:3:10, Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan translation, Feldheim Publishers
There is another important principle regarding God’s Providence. God arranged matters so that man’s chances of achieving ultimate salvation should be maximized, as discussed earlier.
A single soul can be reincarnated a number of times in different bodies, and in this manner it can rectify the damage done in previous incarnations. Similarly, it can also achieve perfection that was not attained in its previous incarnations …
There are many details in the concept of reincarnation, involving the manner in which an individual is judged according to one incarnation, and how this judgment depends on previous incarnations. The crucial point, however, is the fact that all is truly fair and just, as the Torah states, “The Creator’s work is perfect, all His ways are justice” (Devarim 32:4).
No created thing can encompass God’s thoughts or the profound depth of His plan. We only know that, like all other such concepts, the principle of reincarnation as one of man’s experiences also follows the rule of fair judgment, as decreed by God to perfect mankind in general.
There is another important principle regarding God’s Providence. God arranged matters so that man’s chances of achieving ultimate salvation should be maximized, as discussed earlier.
A single soul can be reincarnated a number of times in different bodies, and in this manner it can rectify the damage done in previous incarnations. Similarly, it can also achieve perfection that was not attained in its previous incarnations …
There are many details in the concept of reincarnation, involving the manner in which an individual is judged according to one incarnation, and how this judgment depends on previous incarnations. The crucial point, however, is the fact that all is truly fair and just, as the Torah states, “The Creator’s work is perfect, all His ways are justice” (Devarim 32:4).
No created thing can encompass God’s thoughts or the profound depth of His plan. We only know that, like all other such concepts, the principle of reincarnation as one of man’s experiences also follows the rule of fair judgment, as decreed by God to perfect mankind in general.
Sefer Chareidim, 7:57
The Kabbalists say that even though a soul reincarnated in a human body is unaware of its initial incarnation, nevertheless, when it is incarnated in the body of an animal or a bird, it is aware of its former incarnation, and it has anguish and regret over how it has descended from the human form to the form of a beast.
The Kabbalists say that even though a soul reincarnated in a human body is unaware of its initial incarnation, nevertheless, when it is incarnated in the body of an animal or a bird, it is aware of its former incarnation, and it has anguish and regret over how it has descended from the human form to the form of a beast.
Arizal, Sha’ar HaGilgulim, Ch. 22
After a person dies, he is punished for his transgressions in many ways, even before he enters Gehinnom. These ways are called gilgul. He may be reincarnated in an inanimate object, or in a plant, or in an animal, or in a human. Most people will not escape their being reincarnated in these ways … The degree of transgression determines whether he will be reincarnated in a plant, an animal, etc.
After a person dies, he is punished for his transgressions in many ways, even before he enters Gehinnom. These ways are called gilgul. He may be reincarnated in an inanimate object, or in a plant, or in an animal, or in a human. Most people will not escape their being reincarnated in these ways … The degree of transgression determines whether he will be reincarnated in a plant, an animal, etc.
Mishnah Berurah, Sha’ar HaTziyun 622:6
A person may repeatedly despair of correcting his faults and conclude that if God decrees that he dies because of his failure there is nothing he can do about it. However, this is a mistaken attitude … The soul will be reincarnated over and over again in this world … until the correction is achieved.
A person may repeatedly despair of correcting his faults and conclude that if God decrees that he dies because of his failure there is nothing he can do about it. However, this is a mistaken attitude … The soul will be reincarnated over and over again in this world … until the correction is achieved.
Arizal, Sha’ar HaGilgulim, Introduction 16
You will therefore understand that which we find in the Talmud that a certain Sage was careful in a certain mitzvah to a greater degree than in other mitzvot, and another Sage was conscientious in a different mitzvah, as we find that one Amora asked his fellow, “What was your father careful in?” and he responded that he was conscientious in the mitzvah of tzitzit or tefillin, etc. … The secret of the matter is that every Sage was particular in the mitzvah that he was lacking during a previous incarnation – either entirely, or in one of its details. This is also the secret discussed in the Talmud – that one person chose [to refine] particular character traits, whereas another chose [to refine] different traits … for each one chose the traits according to his reincarnation.
You will therefore understand that which we find in the Talmud that a certain Sage was careful in a certain mitzvah to a greater degree than in other mitzvot, and another Sage was conscientious in a different mitzvah, as we find that one Amora asked his fellow, “What was your father careful in?” and he responded that he was conscientious in the mitzvah of tzitzit or tefillin, etc. … The secret of the matter is that every Sage was particular in the mitzvah that he was lacking during a previous incarnation – either entirely, or in one of its details. This is also the secret discussed in the Talmud – that one person chose [to refine] particular character traits, whereas another chose [to refine] different traits … for each one chose the traits according to his reincarnation.
Vilna Gaon, Even Shleimah 3:5
Somebody who was a wicked person in his first incarnation, God brings him down in the [time of the] waning of the moon, and he lives a life of poverty, even though he is now righteous. This is “A righteous person, for whom bad things happen,” and of this the Sages said, “Length of life, number of children, and the extent of one’s sustenance do not depend on one’s merit, but on one’s mazal” (Moed Katan 28a).
Somebody who was a wicked person in his first incarnation, God brings him down in the [time of the] waning of the moon, and he lives a life of poverty, even though he is now righteous. This is “A righteous person, for whom bad things happen,” and of this the Sages said, “Length of life, number of children, and the extent of one’s sustenance do not depend on one’s merit, but on one’s mazal” (Moed Katan 28a).
Carol Bownan’s Past Life Forum, www.childpastlives.org
I’ve been looking on the internet for someone talking about their child having past life memories from 9/11. My son has been talking about it for almost a year now … he’s almost four … He started out insisting that he doesn’t just want to be a firefighter, that he is one … he would get up in the morning and put on his fire outfit (his big reward for being potty trained) and tell me he’s going to work. He would take his play axe and pretend to chop down the walls etc. because there was fire behind them. That’s how it started and the info just progressed … we were reading a Curious George book about him in the big city and he said very matter-of-factly … bad men knocked those buildings over, pointing at the Twin Towers picture (he has also never been exposed to 9/11 scenes … I am also a stay at home mom). Then he said planes broke in them and he couldn’t help … he also told me there were people jumping because they wouldn’t wait for him to get them … He told me he was stuck and was trying to break through the wall to get the people out because they were calling for them … He has also gone on extensively about the type of trucks he was in … the color bucket on the truck and how it feels to come down from up high in the bucket … very detailed about firefighting and has stated he’s not a firefighter – he’s fire rescue … we have no firefighters in the family but the details I could go on with forever … he also talks about his friend Mike who is also a firefighter … It has opened my eyes to a whole new reality … my husband still doesn’t want to believe it, but the details are far too much for a three-year-old to make up … it makes me feel better someone else is experiencing this too.
I’ve been looking on the internet for someone talking about their child having past life memories from 9/11. My son has been talking about it for almost a year now … he’s almost four … He started out insisting that he doesn’t just want to be a firefighter, that he is one … he would get up in the morning and put on his fire outfit (his big reward for being potty trained) and tell me he’s going to work. He would take his play axe and pretend to chop down the walls etc. because there was fire behind them. That’s how it started and the info just progressed … we were reading a Curious George book about him in the big city and he said very matter-of-factly … bad men knocked those buildings over, pointing at the Twin Towers picture (he has also never been exposed to 9/11 scenes … I am also a stay at home mom). Then he said planes broke in them and he couldn’t help … he also told me there were people jumping because they wouldn’t wait for him to get them … He told me he was stuck and was trying to break through the wall to get the people out because they were calling for them … He has also gone on extensively about the type of trucks he was in … the color bucket on the truck and how it feels to come down from up high in the bucket … very detailed about firefighting and has stated he’s not a firefighter – he’s fire rescue … we have no firefighters in the family but the details I could go on with forever … he also talks about his friend Mike who is also a firefighter … It has opened my eyes to a whole new reality … my husband still doesn’t want to believe it, but the details are far too much for a three-year-old to make up … it makes me feel better someone else is experiencing this too.
Indopedia, the Indological Knowledgebase: Reincarnation
Perhaps the most significant anecdotal evidence in this regard is the phenomenon of young children spontaneously sharing what appear to be memories of past lives, a phenomenon which has been reported even in cultures that do not hold to a belief in reincarnation. Upon investigating these claims, Stevenson and others have identified individuals who had died a few years before the child was born who seem to meet the descriptions the children provided. In the most compelling cases, autopsy photographs reveal that the deceased individuals have fatal injuries that correspond to the unusual marks or birth defects of the child; for example, marks on the chest and back of a child line up precisely with the bullet entry and exit wounds on the body of an individual who has been shot.
Perhaps the most significant anecdotal evidence in this regard is the phenomenon of young children spontaneously sharing what appear to be memories of past lives, a phenomenon which has been reported even in cultures that do not hold to a belief in reincarnation. Upon investigating these claims, Stevenson and others have identified individuals who had died a few years before the child was born who seem to meet the descriptions the children provided. In the most compelling cases, autopsy photographs reveal that the deceased individuals have fatal injuries that correspond to the unusual marks or birth defects of the child; for example, marks on the chest and back of a child line up precisely with the bullet entry and exit wounds on the body of an individual who has been shot.