Do My Present Actions Matter Later?

By Becky Adelberg
KOACH Field Worker

It is important to question how our lives would be different if our consciousness and actions were guided by thoughts of an afterlife. Would we put extra effort into our interactions with others, our community, our work, our relationship with God and more? Chances are we do strive to go the extra mile in our lives, but we may not do this on a consistent basis or with the thought of how this would affect us in the world to come.

I was surprised to learn, during my past two years studying Jewish Studies and Jewish Education in graduate school, that there are some forms of Judaism that believe in an afterlife, along with concepts such as gilgul (reincarnation). Whether or not you believe in these ideas, most Jewish teachings hold a belief in a World to Come that is not clearly defined. This world is known as shamayim.

Although we do not know what heaven (shamayim) looks like or will be like, we must be responsible for our actions in this world. It is good that we do not have a clearly defined blueprint, because either way we are made responsible for what we contribute to the world. Each of us is brought into this world for a purpose--as we go on our journeys throughout life, we catch glimpses of what our missions are, for what we were brought here and what motivates us to be the best we can be.

I believe there is an afterlife that exists beyond our world; however, I do not use this belief to guide my actions. By having the mindset of being in the present, we can ultimately do our best in this world. We should not do acts of kindness because we expect to be rewarded in the World to Come. There are very specific types of good deeds I am writing about called gemilut hasidim (charitable deeds) or acts of kindness (hesed). Giving to others, whether through kind words and a smile, charity, or volunteering to feed the hungry all make a difference in this world, no matter what difference they may or may not make in the World to Come.

There is another way Judaism tells us we experience a taste of the afterlife: Shabbat -- the seventh day of creation, when God rested. Shabbat is a beautiful gift that can allow us to bring the concept of an afterlife or the World to Come into our present lives. Taking the time to separate from the rest of the week is a gift. However we choose to honor this separation is up to us, but the consciousness of separating from the everyday to the holy is a gift.

One should not let a reward system based on the afterlife motivate one’s actions. We should be guided by the belief in Jewish values of hesed and tzedakah (charitable giving), gemilut hasadim and treating each other with respect. In our lives we can establish the parallel forces of being present in the world, while, if we choose, noticing that there are things beyond our grasp and reality, such as the afterlife.

[Posted 11/28/05]