The Death of Death: Resurrection and Immortality in Jewish Thought Book

Does death end life, or is it the passage from one stage of life to another?

Noted theologian Neil Gillman offers readers an original and compelling argument that Judaism, a religion often thought to pay little attention to the afterlife, not only presents us with rich ideas on this subject-but delivers a deathblow to death itself. Combining astute scholarship with keen historical, theological and liturgical insights, Gillman traces the evolution of Jewish thought about bodily resurrection and spiritual immortality, and what it means for our lives today.
"Breaks through the silence of modern Jewish thought on immortality....A work of major significance."
-Rabbi Sheldon Zimmerman, President, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion

"Sure to ignite discussion in the Jewish world."
- Forward

"Masterful...Gillman's lucid exposition offers valuable insight into the history of Jewish theology."
- Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly

In a masterful survey of Jewish attitudes toward the concepts of resurrection and immortality, Gillman, who teaches Jewish philosophy at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, defies the common notion that Judaism is a religion that fails to address the afterlife. Gillman traces Judaic ideas of resurrection and immortality from their earliest formations through the medieval and modern eras to today. In the process, he discusses Psalms, the book of Daniel, Maimonides, Moses Mendelssohn, Martin Buber and contemporary Jewish thinkers like leading Reform rabbi Eugene Borowitz. Gillman demonstrates that the ideas of resurrection and immortality were introduced into Judaism as early as the fifth century B.C. and that debates about the existence of an afterlife in Judaism have often revolved around whether or not afterlife involves a resurrection of the physical body or the immortality of the soul. Gillman concludes from his study of biblical and historical texts that bodily resurrection will occur at the "end of days" and that through this resurrection "God will banish death forever." Gillman's lucid exposition offers valuable insights into the history of Jewish theology. (June)