Introduction: To Life! Concepts of the Afterlife in Judaism

Judaism focuses on life in this world and observing the divine commandments in the here and now. Preserving life is one of the core values of the Jewish religion. Nevertheless, there is hope of life after death – of the olam ha-ba, the coming world. Jewish belief states that when the Messiah arrives, the dead will be resurrected and will return to the Land of Israel. Against this background, Jewish graves are never allowed to be removed or changed, and cremation is forbidden.