Does the Soul Survive? (2nd Edition) - by Elie Kaplan Spitz

About the Book

Draws on Jewish texts to share that belief in near-death experiences, reincarnation, past-life memory and the work of mediums is in fact true to Jewish tradition. Rabbi Spitz looks squarely at both sides of the issues in this updated second edition, including the discrepancies in near-death experiences and other accounts.

Book Synopsis

Draws on Jewish texts to share that belief in near-death experiences, reincarnation, past-life memory and the work of mediums is in fact true to Jewish tradition. Rabbi Spitz looks squarely at both sides of the issues in this updated second edition, including the discrepancies in near-death experiences and other accounts.

Review Quotes

"Very worthwhile.... People do not know enough about the Jewish point of view on death and dying, and people need to know that reincarnation and afterlife is a fact. It's about time and the time is now. This is a brilliant book that keeps you fascinated."
-Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

"A wise, moving, carefully thought out and provocative first-person exploration into the immortality of the soul. Indispensable for anyone who has ever wondered about the mysteries of life before and after this one. A beautiful book."
-Lawrence Kushner, rabbi-in-residence, Hebrew Union College; author, Invisible Lines of Connection: Sacred Stories of the Ordinary and other books

"His initial reticence to believe people's stories about life after death and past incarnations ... gives this book credibility even for skeptical philosophers like me.... Rabbi Spitz has me wondering!"
-Rabbi Elliot N. Dorff, PhD, rector and professor of philosophy, American Jewish University

"Elegantly written.... Rabbi Elie Spitz's 'journey' will inspire its readers to follow his example and search for what is meaningful in Jewish life and learning."
-Elie Wiesel

"See your (future) world in this life.... Read Rabbi Elie Spitz's book and experience what your own intuition corroborates and you will not fear death at the end of your life's journey."
-Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi (z"l), author, Davening: A Guide to Meaningful Jewish Prayer

"Rabbi Spitz has taken a fascinating journey from skepticism to hope. No matter our ultimate conclusion, this record of that journey is certain to tantalize, intrigue and uplift the questing spirit."
-Rabbi David Wolpe, Sinai Temple, Los Angeles; author, Making Loss Matter: Creating Meaning in Difficult Times

"A path-breaking book. When Elie Spitz writes about Judaism and reincarnation, he not only examines relevant texts drawn from two thousand years of teaching, he integrates them with his own remarkable experiences. This is a book that has the capacity to expand your soul."
-Joseph Telushkin, author, Jewish Literacy and other works

"Whether or not we believe, having the conversation about the continued existence of the soul contributes to the healing. Opening to the possibility that there is more than a rigid and unpenetrable curtain between the worlds allows us to approach loss with questions. These call forth creative possibilities for continuing our connection with those we have lost."
-Rabbi Anne Brener, LCSW, internationally recognized bereavement therapist; author, Mourning & Mitzvah: A Guided Journey to Walking the Mourner's Path Through Grief to Healing

"Rabbi Spitz is not your grandfather's old rabbi. He explores issues of life and death that go back to our earliest traditions and go forward into the next millennium. He proves that Judaism is a many branched menorah with something important for everyone. He shows how to explore the deepest reaches of mind, body, and spirit-and do it Jewishly."
-Alan M. Dershowitz, author, The Vanishing American Jew

"Rabbi Spitz has treated a topic that many approach with doubts in a learned, cogent, Jewishly informed and, above all, human manner. His personal touch, as well as his mastery of both classical Jewish and modern historical, philosophical and psychological writings on the topic of the soul and its transmigration makes for challenging and thoughtful reading.... Indicates that Judaism has a great deal to say about a subject that is all-too-often exclusively associated in the popular mind with eastern religions. Readers of all stripes and faiths will be provoked and moved by this book."
-Rabbi David Ellenson, PhD, president