JEWISH HOME LA

Dear readers,

The 13th principal of faith listed by Maimonides is, “I believe that the dead will be brought back to life.”

Why is it so important that those who have passed away come back to physical life? What’s more, why is it a fundamental part of our emunah without which basic Jewish faith is incomplete?

The short answer is that resurrection connects to the reasons we are here in the first place. The intent wasn’t that we fulfill our mission down here and then reap the reward in some spiritual dimension (as lofty a level it might be). The purpose is to remake physicality itself by infusing it with Torah and good deeds. The results of which will be seen once completed, but the process is happening right now.

For belief in Hashem to be complete, we need realize that the world itself can, and indeed will, one day be a spiritual oasis where all previous generations come back – from the highest levels of Gan Eden! – to experience G-d down here.

Avraham Avinu lived a life of truth, so he will come back in person to serve Hashem. Ruth gave up everything to join the Jewish people; she too will shine when returned to this world. Victims of the Holocaust killed al kiddush Hashem as well as regular Yidden and the righteous among the nations throughout all the generations will be here in this world to experience the essence of G-d.

This Shabbos, Gimmel Tammuz, is the 23rd Hilulla of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. On one foot, you can say that his strongest message was that Hashem wants a home down here – specifically down here. When we make a brachah on a cup of water, compliment someone, or learn a mishnah, we are accomplishing that purpose.

May we see the revelation of all this, in the very near future.

Wishing you a restful and meaningful Shabbos,

Shalom