The sparks of the soul, and reincarnation

Hi,

"The soul is divided into many sparks, and some portion of these sparks come in each incarnation… and a person’s lifetime is based on the number of sparks. One who performs a mitzvah mends one spark. On a day when one does not perform a mitzvah, that day’s spark remains flawed."

(Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad (Ben Ish Chai), Rav Pealim 1 Sod Yesharim 3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Reincarnation?

Hi,

"If a person does not fulfill all of the 613 mitzvot, he will come back to this earth in a reincarnation [to try again]."

(Vilna Gaon, Kol Eliyahu 182, to Berachot 31a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Which body comes back in Techiyat haMeitim?

Hi,

"The last body in which the soul was planted, and in which it grew successfully and developed good roots, will rise up at that time."

(Zohar, Bereishit pg. 131a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Gilgul (Reincarnation): A Skeptic's View

Hi,

"I say that I have found some people among those who are called Jews who believe in Gilgul, and they call it 'transmigration.' In their minds, this means that Reuven’s spirit enters Shimon, and then Levi, and then Yehudah. Some, perhaps mnost of them, believe that a human soul may enter an animal, or an animal enter a human. The types of foolishness and confusion are legion."

(R' Saadia Gaon, Emunot v'Deiot 6:8)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Yonah and the soul

Hi,

"This prophet hints at the human soul, as is stated in the Zohar (2:199a).

"Gd sends it to this world to improve the world. Instead, not only does it not repair, but it corrupts itself as well. After that Gd sends it into a second incarnation to repair, and it repairs, but in pain over its bad fate, as will be explained in this book."

(Vilna Gaon, Introduction to Yonah)

גמר חתימה טובה, May we be sealed for a great new year,
Mordechai

Jewish Reincarnation?

Hi,

"One who does not fulfill all of the 613 Mitzvot will have to come back again."

(Vilna Gaon to Talmud Berachot 31)

"How does one know where he erred in a previous incarnation?

"There are two signs: (a) He stumbles many times in the same area in this incarnation, and (b) He has great desire for this transgression. He became accustomed to it in the past, and it became part of his nature. Therefore, some people desire one transgression more than another."

(Vilna Gaon to Jonah 4:3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai