Gigul Neshamot: Reincarnation

I had an interesting discussion with my optometrist, yesterday. He asked what I do on my computer everyday, and I told him about writing these posts. For ten minutes we shared Jewish knowledge and he said the phrase that’s in the title of this post. Isn’t it funny how the cycle turns?

In early 1984, I wrote a poem about it.

The Kabbalah is Jewish esoteric knowledge wrapped up in interesting concepts. Metempsychosis is essentially an explanation for reincarnation. See the following:

Gilgul

Moses and Jethro were Abel and Cain;

Eve and Adam, David and Bathsheba;

The Serpent became known as Uriah;

Even Job’s Abraham’s father again.

Metempsychosis was used to explain

Perplexing problems in the Kabbalah:

Some said that Adam, David, Messiah

Yielded ADaM’s name as from the same vein.

Commonly, reincarnation was used,

Heresy to some, sacred to others,

Only the Gnostics really knew for sure.

Since the 5^th century it’s been abused

In Catholics, erased by the Fathers;

Saved by the Perfect: Humanity’s Cure!

Sonnet X (Spiritus Sanctus)