[Wyatt Flicker]

Although this was not news to me, the Jewish de-emphasis on death and the afterlife is always striking. The concern for heaven and hell is of the upmost concern in most Christian ethical and cosmological frameworks, but most of Jewish history seems entirely unconcerned with the fate of souls after death. Interestingly, there are even some Kabbalists, Jewish mystics, who believe in reincarnation, and it seems that concept has gained popularity amongst modern Hasidim. Interesting for Christians, Jewish believers in reincarnation typically formulate their belief as part of a grand cosmic salvation narrative, which we believe is accomplished through Christ. Even though Christians may seem death-obsessed to observers, the shared concern for God’s saving work in humanity is a crucial area of agreement with Jews.