<![CDATA[Ask Noah Q&A Forum - End of Physical Life (T)]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/ Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:20:53 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Marking the anniversary of a Jewish tzaddik's passing]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=3387 Thu, 08 Jul 2021 03:51:46 +0000 Director Michael]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=3387 The following questions were received.
Note: The anniversary of a Jewish tzaddik's passing (the day of the "yahrzeit" = "yearly time") is also called the day of his/her "hilulah" (rejoicing).

Quote:When it comes to the yahrzeit day of a Gentile loved-one, we have:
- the specific prayer for the person's soul, by Rabbi Immanuel Schochet that is published by Ask Noah,
- giving charity in honor of the person's yahrzeit,
- Psalms 47 and 139 which can be recited.

For the hilulah day of a Jewish tzaddik [very righteous person], can we do the same?

1) I don't think that the memorial prayer by Rabbi Schochet which we provide in Ask Noah's publications is appropriate to say for a tzaddik's hilulah.
2) Yes, you can definitely give charity in honor of a tzaddik's hilulah, any time during that day - which is the Hebrew date from sundown to sundown.
3) Those chapters of Psalms are not necessary to recite for a tzaddik's hilulah. Instead, it would be appropriate for anytime during the day of the hilulah to read something about the life of the tzaddik, and/or to read some of the tzaddik's teachings that are appropriate for Noahides to study.
4) It is a widespread custom to light a 24-hour yahrzeit candle in honor of a tzaddik's soul on the day of the hilulah. The candle is lit at or after sundown on the Hebrew date.

Note: a 24-hour yahrzeit candle can also be lit in honor of the yahrzeit of a close relative who is a Gentile. It seems to me that the appropriate time to do this would be at or after sunrise on the secular anniversary of the Gentile's passing.

Quote:For a Gentile couple, if the husband is at work and his wife is at home and the husband will not be able to pray for the yahrzeit of a loved-one and / or a tzaddik:
If the wife is praying and/or putting aside money for charity in honor of the yahrzeit, is her husband absolved from doing those things?

1) It's permitted, but not required, for Gentiles to pray or study or give charity for a loved-one's yahrzeit or a tzaddik's hilulah. So the husband doesn't need to be absolved. And if the wife does any of these, that would not automatically absolve the husband, or vice verse.

2) A Gentile may (and it's a good idea!) set aside money for charity while at work, or any time of the day or night. Since the time of a tzaddik's hilulah is from sundown to sundown on the Hebrew date, a Gentile can give the charity at night when the Hebrew date begins, or before going to work. And the same applies for the reading / study that's mentioned above.

Quote:And when the Gentile wife is giving the charity, will she have to put a coin for her husband and a coin for herself?

She doesn't have to, because it's not required. But the husband can hand a coin to his wife in advance, and ask her to be the one to put aside his coin for charity.]]> The following questions were received.
Note: The anniversary of a Jewish tzaddik's passing (the day of the "yahrzeit" = "yearly time") is also called the day of his/her "hilulah" (rejoicing).

Quote:When it comes to the yahrzeit day of a Gentile loved-one, we have:
- the specific prayer for the person's soul, by Rabbi Immanuel Schochet that is published by Ask Noah,
- giving charity in honor of the person's yahrzeit,
- Psalms 47 and 139 which can be recited.

For the hilulah day of a Jewish tzaddik [very righteous person], can we do the same?

1) I don't think that the memorial prayer by Rabbi Schochet which we provide in Ask Noah's publications is appropriate to say for a tzaddik's hilulah.
2) Yes, you can definitely give charity in honor of a tzaddik's hilulah, any time during that day - which is the Hebrew date from sundown to sundown.
3) Those chapters of Psalms are not necessary to recite for a tzaddik's hilulah. Instead, it would be appropriate for anytime during the day of the hilulah to read something about the life of the tzaddik, and/or to read some of the tzaddik's teachings that are appropriate for Noahides to study.
4) It is a widespread custom to light a 24-hour yahrzeit candle in honor of a tzaddik's soul on the day of the hilulah. The candle is lit at or after sundown on the Hebrew date.

Note: a 24-hour yahrzeit candle can also be lit in honor of the yahrzeit of a close relative who is a Gentile. It seems to me that the appropriate time to do this would be at or after sunrise on the secular anniversary of the Gentile's passing.

Quote:For a Gentile couple, if the husband is at work and his wife is at home and the husband will not be able to pray for the yahrzeit of a loved-one and / or a tzaddik:
If the wife is praying and/or putting aside money for charity in honor of the yahrzeit, is her husband absolved from doing those things?

1) It's permitted, but not required, for Gentiles to pray or study or give charity for a loved-one's yahrzeit or a tzaddik's hilulah. So the husband doesn't need to be absolved. And if the wife does any of these, that would not automatically absolve the husband, or vice verse.

2) A Gentile may (and it's a good idea!) set aside money for charity while at work, or any time of the day or night. Since the time of a tzaddik's hilulah is from sundown to sundown on the Hebrew date, a Gentile can give the charity at night when the Hebrew date begins, or before going to work. And the same applies for the reading / study that's mentioned above.

Quote:And when the Gentile wife is giving the charity, will she have to put a coin for her husband and a coin for herself?

She doesn't have to, because it's not required. But the husband can hand a coin to his wife in advance, and ask her to be the one to put aside his coin for charity.]]> <![CDATA[miscarriage - what is about the soul]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=2622 Thu, 15 Feb 2018 19:13:36 +0000 OBD_76]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=2622
Dear Rabbi Michael

we lost our unborn baby in the 7th week. And now we are very sad about this.
Is there a possibility to say a special prayer to say goodbye to our baby?

In regard to such small unborn babies, do they already have a soul given from G-d? And what happens to them after they died?

Best regards

Daniel and Rahel]]>
Dear Rabbi Michael

we lost our unborn baby in the 7th week. And now we are very sad about this.
Is there a possibility to say a special prayer to say goodbye to our baby?

In regard to such small unborn babies, do they already have a soul given from G-d? And what happens to them after they died?

Best regards

Daniel and Rahel]]> <![CDATA[Animals in Olam Haba]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=2049 Tue, 02 May 2017 17:27:45 +0000 Maximilian]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=2049

where will be the animals which will live in Olam Haba, as they will not die anymore (I guess they will not)? Will they be the animals which lived on this planet before or will they be newly born animals with eternal life?
What's about our pets who we loved? Will they have a part in Olam Haba as there will be animals in the World to come?

Thanks!

Maximilian]]>

where will be the animals which will live in Olam Haba, as they will not die anymore (I guess they will not)? Will they be the animals which lived on this planet before or will they be newly born animals with eternal life?
What's about our pets who we loved? Will they have a part in Olam Haba as there will be animals in the World to come?

Thanks!

Maximilian]]> <![CDATA[If a not-righteous gentile dies...]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=2045 Thu, 16 Mar 2017 17:00:29 +0000 Maximilian]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=2045
Is there any chance for a soul of a gentile who was not righteous at all during his lifetime for Olam Haba, the world to come? Is it possible for family members or friends to mourn for the grace of G-d, in the way jewish people say their kaddish prayer for eleven months? I mean persons who did not observe the sheva mitzvot (7 Universal Commandments).

Thank you for your answers.]]>
Is there any chance for a soul of a gentile who was not righteous at all during his lifetime for Olam Haba, the world to come? Is it possible for family members or friends to mourn for the grace of G-d, in the way jewish people say their kaddish prayer for eleven months? I mean persons who did not observe the sheva mitzvot (7 Universal Commandments).

Thank you for your answers.]]> <![CDATA[Does a Righteous Gentile have an ETERNAL share in the World to Come?]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=1986 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 22:04:27 +0000 AbbaK]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=1986 <![CDATA[When a loved one dies, is that the end of the relationship?]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=1907 Fri, 25 Oct 2013 04:49:41 +0000 krisstel]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=1907
Is that connection between parents, grandparents, friends, all those we love, still intact after death? Would they be 'with' us or 'aware' of certain events in our lives after their passing while we are left on earth?

And after the resurrection in the World to Come, will we be reunited? Will we know each other? Is this the same as being "gathered to our people"?

I would really be so grateful for some insight here.

Thank you.]]>
Is that connection between parents, grandparents, friends, all those we love, still intact after death? Would they be 'with' us or 'aware' of certain events in our lives after their passing while we are left on earth?

And after the resurrection in the World to Come, will we be reunited? Will we know each other? Is this the same as being "gathered to our people"?

I would really be so grateful for some insight here.

Thank you.]]> <![CDATA[single men and women]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=630 Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:50:21 +0000 ann4992]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=630 <![CDATA[What Happens When We Die?]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=270 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:27:57 +0000 Mattityahu ben Noach]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=270 However, I am sometimes asked what, if anything, Noachides believe happens when we die. I have thought about it for years, and over the years collected bits and fragments of teachings, which information I have compiled into a short "stock answer." I once posted it on a Yahoo Group, and another poster asked, "Is this even Judaism?" to which the Rabbi replied, "Yes. It is."
At least, that's what I THINK he was referring to.
Now I am a member of this forum, I can ask again, and either accept any corrections you may offer, scrap the entire piece in favor of whatever you offer, or remain satisfied that, at least on a superficial level, what I have here is okay for Noachides to believe.

Quote:I am not Jewish, but I believe the following scenario, which I have been told does reflect Torah teachings. Feel free to reject it; it's not my business to convince you. However, you may want to consult your local Orthodox Rabbi.

I believe that we all, at the moment of death, good and evil, Jew or Gentile, approach the Presence of G-d, where our lives are reviewed, and our mitzvoth and unrepented sins are recounted. We are rewarded measure for measure, and punished, measure for measure. To my mind, there can be no greater reward for a righteous person than to experience the Divine Presence of the Merciful and Beneficent G-d. Likewise, there can be no greater punishment for a sinner, than to be in the Presence of the same Just and Angry G-d, Who saw all we've ever done, the "reasons" we comforted ourselves with to explain to ourselves why were did what we were doing, and how feeble they really are in the light of G-d's Omniscience and Justice.

The Mitzvoth we have carried out because G-d has commanded them (according to what may apply to each individual), we are rewarded for. Psalm 84:11 says, "For the L-rd G-d is a sun and shield; the L-rd bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly."

The sins we have committed (according to what may apply to each individual), but have not repented of, are stripped away from us if we have enough merit, in a process that can (to my mind) only be painful to us, as far as I know. Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us." (Perhaps this is the "fire and flame" some "near-death experience" claimants report?) This is because G-d is a Righteous G-d, and sins cannot stand in His Presence. But G-d is also Merciful, and He wouldn't let His righteous servants spend an eternity "wailing and gnashing their teeth" over the sins they committed in a few short years on Earth. They have earned merit, or they wouldn't be "righteous," so I believe they (the sins) are what is expelled from the Presence, and not the entire soul. I look at the procedure sort of like a scouring.

If you haven't done many mitzvoth, you may not get to enjoy the Divine Presence, or you may be reincarnated back on Earth, where you can correct the errors you made, and/or carry out more mitzvoth, so as to enjoy the Presence more fully, and/or to suffer for your sins on Earth, and not have to "suffer" for them in the spiritual realm. A third case would be where the soul has no redeeming merits at all after an adult life on Earth (an extreme case), and does not merit any reward at all. Those souls are snuffed out like a candle’s flame.

We know the concept of an unjust "Hell" is false, and we find that in the offshoot religions from Judaism. The Torah-based system I believe in allows the punishment of the unrepentant sins, but survival of the soul, and none of your fellow companions, who may have knowledge of your actions on Earth, would begrudge you your reward that is due to you for your good deeds and your observance of your commandments.
]]> However, I am sometimes asked what, if anything, Noachides believe happens when we die. I have thought about it for years, and over the years collected bits and fragments of teachings, which information I have compiled into a short "stock answer." I once posted it on a Yahoo Group, and another poster asked, "Is this even Judaism?" to which the Rabbi replied, "Yes. It is."
At least, that's what I THINK he was referring to.
Now I am a member of this forum, I can ask again, and either accept any corrections you may offer, scrap the entire piece in favor of whatever you offer, or remain satisfied that, at least on a superficial level, what I have here is okay for Noachides to believe.

Quote:I am not Jewish, but I believe the following scenario, which I have been told does reflect Torah teachings. Feel free to reject it; it's not my business to convince you. However, you may want to consult your local Orthodox Rabbi.

I believe that we all, at the moment of death, good and evil, Jew or Gentile, approach the Presence of G-d, where our lives are reviewed, and our mitzvoth and unrepented sins are recounted. We are rewarded measure for measure, and punished, measure for measure. To my mind, there can be no greater reward for a righteous person than to experience the Divine Presence of the Merciful and Beneficent G-d. Likewise, there can be no greater punishment for a sinner, than to be in the Presence of the same Just and Angry G-d, Who saw all we've ever done, the "reasons" we comforted ourselves with to explain to ourselves why were did what we were doing, and how feeble they really are in the light of G-d's Omniscience and Justice.

The Mitzvoth we have carried out because G-d has commanded them (according to what may apply to each individual), we are rewarded for. Psalm 84:11 says, "For the L-rd G-d is a sun and shield; the L-rd bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly."

The sins we have committed (according to what may apply to each individual), but have not repented of, are stripped away from us if we have enough merit, in a process that can (to my mind) only be painful to us, as far as I know. Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us." (Perhaps this is the "fire and flame" some "near-death experience" claimants report?) This is because G-d is a Righteous G-d, and sins cannot stand in His Presence. But G-d is also Merciful, and He wouldn't let His righteous servants spend an eternity "wailing and gnashing their teeth" over the sins they committed in a few short years on Earth. They have earned merit, or they wouldn't be "righteous," so I believe they (the sins) are what is expelled from the Presence, and not the entire soul. I look at the procedure sort of like a scouring.

If you haven't done many mitzvoth, you may not get to enjoy the Divine Presence, or you may be reincarnated back on Earth, where you can correct the errors you made, and/or carry out more mitzvoth, so as to enjoy the Presence more fully, and/or to suffer for your sins on Earth, and not have to "suffer" for them in the spiritual realm. A third case would be where the soul has no redeeming merits at all after an adult life on Earth (an extreme case), and does not merit any reward at all. Those souls are snuffed out like a candle’s flame.

We know the concept of an unjust "Hell" is false, and we find that in the offshoot religions from Judaism. The Torah-based system I believe in allows the punishment of the unrepentant sins, but survival of the soul, and none of your fellow companions, who may have knowledge of your actions on Earth, would begrudge you your reward that is due to you for your good deeds and your observance of your commandments.
]]> <![CDATA[the proper way to offer condolences to a Jew]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=110 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:18:58 +0000 oceanoah]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=110 As a Noahide, when a Jewish friend talks about a deceased relative and I want to show my respect, are there some standard words in Judaism, or are those words exactly like the ones other people use? (like G-d bless his soul or things like that)
I have heard about "Baruch Dayan Emet", but then I heard it is said only when a religious person has passed away, or I understood it that way.
After death what happens? Is the soul in another dimension and then it comes back to the corpse?
Thank you very much for helping us with our questions.
Elinor]]> As a Noahide, when a Jewish friend talks about a deceased relative and I want to show my respect, are there some standard words in Judaism, or are those words exactly like the ones other people use? (like G-d bless his soul or things like that)
I have heard about "Baruch Dayan Emet", but then I heard it is said only when a religious person has passed away, or I understood it that way.
After death what happens? Is the soul in another dimension and then it comes back to the corpse?
Thank you very much for helping us with our questions.
Elinor]]> <![CDATA[Burial for Noahides]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=153 Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:29:20 +0000 oceanoah]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=153 Could Noahides be burried in Jewish cemetaries? Or cemetaries of their own beside a synagogue or beside a Jewish cemetary? Where Jewish people and Noahides would pray for them when they are deceased? Could a Noahide wish to be burried in Jerusalem or the land of Israel in her / his will? Thank you Rabbi]]> Could Noahides be burried in Jewish cemetaries? Or cemetaries of their own beside a synagogue or beside a Jewish cemetary? Where Jewish people and Noahides would pray for them when they are deceased? Could a Noahide wish to be burried in Jerusalem or the land of Israel in her / his will? Thank you Rabbi]]> <![CDATA[Prayer and Deeds for Deceased Ancestors]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=12 Sat, 09 Jun 2007 14:48:20 +0000 Donny]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=12
With fathers day approaching, I was thinking of going to my grandfathers graves and I was wondering what the guidelines are as far as praying at the graves of the deceased goes. I know that one shouldn't pray to their souls (G-d Forbid) and I believe that one shouldn't ask them to intercede in Heaven as this would attribute power to them (G-d forbid).

A few questions:
1. What Psalms would be good to recite on behalf of the deceased?
2. Can I say things like "I wish I could have spent more time with you." or "I hope you merit a share in the world to come."?
3. Should I not go if the grave is in a Xtian cemetary?

Any guidelines/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Donny]]>
With fathers day approaching, I was thinking of going to my grandfathers graves and I was wondering what the guidelines are as far as praying at the graves of the deceased goes. I know that one shouldn't pray to their souls (G-d Forbid) and I believe that one shouldn't ask them to intercede in Heaven as this would attribute power to them (G-d forbid).

A few questions:
1. What Psalms would be good to recite on behalf of the deceased?
2. Can I say things like "I wish I could have spent more time with you." or "I hope you merit a share in the world to come."?
3. Should I not go if the grave is in a Xtian cemetary?

Any guidelines/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Donny]]> <![CDATA[Biblical Gehinom]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=11 Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:01:12 +0000 James7]]> https://www.asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=11