Deepen your students’ understanding of Jewish eschatology with this focused and accessible Lesson Pack for 1.6.2d: Jewish Beliefs About Life and Death. Aligned to the WJEC Religious Studies 2025 specification, this lesson explores key Jewish teachings on the afterlife, examining both traditional and modern perspectives with clarity, care, and cross-denominational insight.
Learners Will Understand:
Jewish Beliefs About the Afterlife
Gan Eden (Paradise):
A place of peace and closeness to God for the righteous after death.
Gehenna (Hell):
A place of spiritual correction or punishment for the soul — not eternal damnation, but a purifying process.
Resurrection:
Bodily resurrection as taught in Orthodox Judaism
Spiritual resurrection or immortality of the soul in Reform Judaism
Olam Ha-Ba (The World to Come):
A general concept of the afterlife and reward, often linked to the Messianic Age and the fulfilment of God’s promises.
Sheol:
An ancient belief in a shadowy underworld where souls are cleansed before moving on — later interpreted metaphorically or spiritually.
Suitable for:
WJEC GCSE Religious Studies (from 2025)
KS4 RE, Theology, or Philosophy modules
Interfaith or funeral practice comparisons
Revision, homework, or cover lessons
Deepen your students’ understanding of Jewish eschatology with this focused and accessible Lesson Pack for 1.6.2d: Jewish Beliefs About Life and Death. Aligned to the WJEC Religious Studies 2025 specification, this lesson explores key Jewish teachings on the afterlife, examining both traditional and modern perspectives with clarity, care, and cross-denominational insight.
Learners Will Understand:
Jewish Beliefs About the Afterlife
Gan Eden (Paradise):
A place of peace and closeness to God for the righteous after death.
Gehenna (Hell):
A place of spiritual correction or punishment for the soul — not eternal damnation, but a purifying process.
Resurrection:
Bodily resurrection as taught in Orthodox Judaism
Spiritual resurrection or immortality of the soul in Reform Judaism
Olam Ha-Ba (The World to Come):
A general concept of the afterlife and reward, often linked to the Messianic Age and the fulfilment of God’s promises.
Sheol:
An ancient belief in a shadowy underworld where souls are cleansed before moving on — later interpreted metaphorically or spiritually.
Suitable for:
WJEC GCSE Religious Studies (from 2025)
KS4 RE, Theology, or Philosophy modules
Interfaith or funeral practice comparisons
Revision, homework, or cover lessons
