Project Genesis




Basics of Judaism

Heaven and Hell

Soul Talk & Dimentia

Question: Someone in our family has had Dementia for quite a while and is not well. At this time she’s talking as if she is leaving us. Is there such a thing as Neshama (Soul) Talk?

Answer: You have made a very interesting observation. I will first have to admit that I don’t understand much of how the human Neshama works, so I won’t be able to give you a definite answer to your question.

However, I think it is fair to say that a person’s Neshama isn’t necessarily something hidden and invisible to us, but it is our personality which is made up of our attitudes and feelings. It is this personality (in a somewhat different form, I would expect) that existed before our birth and it is this personality (changed by our years in this world) that will continue to exist after we’re dead.

Most people only say things once they have carefully considered what effect they will have on the people listening. Therefore, their words don’t always reflect their real feelings…their Neshama . However, someone suffering from dementia doesn’t filter and his words are perhaps closer to his neshama (although I’m sure that there are also other, more superficial, influences on what they say so obviously not everything should be taken to heart).

Now is it possible that a Neshama can have access to ideas from the “next world”? I suppose it is possible. Are your relative’s words necessarily from there? I really can’t say. But they probably do come from a place that is very close to his or her pure self and therefore might represent something deep and personal.

I hope that this has been useful and I wish you great strength in enduring and even growing from this difficult experience.

With my best wishes,
Rabbi Boruch Clinton

No Follow-ups »

No published follow-up questions.

We respond to every follow-up question submitted, but only publish selected ones. In order to be considered for publication, questions must be on-topic, polite, and address ideas rather than personalities.

SUBMIT A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION


Powered by WordPress