Girlfriend Wisdom
Living Jewishly, Relationships February 28th, 2007Last night Tamara and I were having a conversation related to the messianic promise of resurrection. Anyhow at one point Tamara shared something with me which I found rather insightful, not to mention beautiful.
What did she say? Okay I’ll tell you!
Note: I’m paraphrasing here and may in fact be getting what she said completely wrong.
She basically told me that she didn’t believe in the physical resurrection but that our souls lived on through the good deeds we managed to accomplish during our physical lives here on Earth. To be honest I don’t know if she meant that’s all that exists, nor do I know that I agree with it 100% if that is what she meant. At first I thought she meant that our souls are carried on in terms of people remembering us because of our kindness and interactions with them, but I’m not sure that’s what she meant. Now after giving it some thought, I get the feeling that she meant that our souls (either in full or in part) continue on through the good works that we’ve done. That is our loving kindness when it leads to actions which in turn have a positive influence and effect on the world ripple out, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake. And in some way those ripples out into eternity carry a piece of our positive creativity with them, a piece of our soul.
I’m not sure if I misunderstood but I think it’s a beautiful idea.
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February 28th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Well, as far as a physical ressurection, I have no clue. If it happens, great, and if not I am not willing to believe that our souls, after we die, just lie in limbo, waiting for the days of Moshiach.
Our souls must and do live on, and for me, it makes sense that my soul will live on in the people whose lives I affect, positive or negative. Hopefully positively. And I do believe that having interactions and creating positive interactions with others is a piece of my responsibility as a human, but especially as a Jew. It’s what I will leave to the world. Who my tv goes to, or my car, or my favorite necklace are insignificant compared to the qualities I pass on. Sort of a “Pay it Forward” philosophy; the ripples we leave.
I hope that made sense. And thanks for sharing it. It made me feel good that you found value in it.
March 1st, 2007 at 2:27 pm
What Tam is saying is really beautiful and very cool- I like that.
March 2nd, 2007 at 9:38 am
I came to the same conclusion as her when I was first introduced to the Buddhist idea of reincarnation. It seemed to me that the concept was metaphorical and then was later more rigidly defined as literal. Smart girl, I like her style.