Who knows for this particular person? Maybe she’s into Hinduism. I doubt, however, she is all that knowledgeable about the teachings of the Tanakh (Old Testament), and particularly the Torah (Pentateuch). So what kind of exegesis of the Bible? Most likely none, although she may have read the Kabbalah (good luck with understanding that book!), which is not binding for traditional Orthodox Jews, although very religious Hasidic branches of Orthodoxy study it.The puzzle to me was not why this lady would choose to believe in reincarnation – it is a rather popular belief in postmodern culture, although I can’t figure out why; but rather her insistence that the Bible taught it.
What sort of eisegetics would lead to that conclusion?
ICXC NIKA
Jews ARE all over the map, in a sense. However, as with most Catholics, there are certain very basic dogma that nearly all Jews believe. Maimonides’ Thirteen Articles of Faith sums it up quite nicely.meltzerboy
**You’re confused, Charlemagne, due to differing opinions within the Jewish faith? Welcome to Judaism! **
I gotcha!Seems the Protestant and the Jews are all over the map, and the Catholics are spreading out too nowadays!
Hm, interesting, thanks! I must be on my first life, then. In the next life, in Jerusalem…
The Principles or Articles of Faith formulated by Maimonides seems to ME a creed even though many Jews, more learned than I, will say that Judaism is basically a religion of practice (orthoprax) rather than faith (creedal or orthodox). In other words, the practice of Judaism (i.e. following the Mosaic Law) is more important than the expression of faith. This may sound strange to Christians, most of whom would probably say that faith is the pillar on which practice (i.e. good works and ritual) are built. I know that for Catholics faith without works is meaningless, but faith is still generally seen as the basis for everything else. Otherwise, if one doesn’t believe in Catholic dogma and doctrines, yet does good works, one may be a good person but not a Catholic. In Judaism, it is in a way the reverse. If one calls oneself a Jew by means of faith in Jewish “core principles” but does not practice the religion according to Torah commandments, one is in effect not regarded as a good Jew. (One is still regarded as Jewish, however.) The fact is, for Torah Judaism, the principles of Judaism ARE the practice of Judaism, but of course in a meaningful and spiritual way, not merely in terms of legalistic ritual. It sounds confusing but that’s my understanding of it. Nevertheless, when one examines Maimonides’ Principles of Faith, one can see (at least I do) that there is also somewhat of a creed in Judaism. I invite my fellow Jews or knowledgeable Catholics (as well as Protestants, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, agnostics, atheists, and others) to correct me if I’m wrong or to elaborate on what I’ve said.
Charlemagne II’s question got me googling for info; and I found this from the Psalmist that may lend some support to the possibility that the Jewish people in the distant centuries past could have taught immortality: The poor shall eat and shall be filled: and they shall praise the Lord that seek him: their hearts shall live for ever and ever (Psalm 22:26).