When the Soul Leaves the Body

The Soul Yearns for the Divine Presence

When the time comes for the soul to leave the body, it does not depart until the Divine Presence appears to it. The soul, in its joy and love to cling to the Shechinah, exits the body. If the person is righteous, the soul bonds with the Shechinah; if not, the Divine Presence leaves, and the soul mourns its separation from the body.

A saying goes: the cat stays by the fire, but when a knife is sharpened, it thinks meat will be cut for it and it leaves the fire to follow the knife. Similarly, the soul doesn't want to leave the body until the Divine Presence appears, thinking it will join it, thus it leaves the body.

(Zohar, Parshat Metzora, pg. 53, Matok Midvash, pg. 660-661)

Encountering the Infinite Light

According to Dr. Moody's research on those who've experienced clinical death, individuals encounter a loving, warm, and infinite joy-emitting light. This majestic light draws them, and they report earthly happiness is insignificant compared to the joy from this light. The light feels magnetic.

... "It was a very radiant light... like crystal-clear white and dazzling. It's not a light describable in this world. It's a light of complete understanding and love..."

"I knew I was departing," one woman recounted, "I left my body, seeing myself on the operating table. There was a magnificent light encompassing everything but not blinding me. I felt secure and loved."

In this light's presence, some felt such peace they didn't want to return."

Dr. Moody notes that witnesses said the 'being of light' communicated through thought, asking if they were ready to die or about life's completions.

The Light and the Boundary

Additional testimonies mention a clear boundary between them and the light, knowing crossing meant not returning to this world.

"The light shone so brightly that visibility was obscured, but its presence was comforting. No experience on earth matches it..."

"In the light's presence, I felt thoughts like: 'Do you wish to die?' I responded unsurely, knowing nothing about death. The light replied, "Cross this line and you'll know". Crossing the line filled me with incredible peace and calm."

Where Is This Light Described in the Torah?

Hashem is depicted as a non-consuming fire in the Torah. This is how the Divine appeared to Moses during his first revelation: "An angel of Hashem appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush, and though the bush was on fire, it did not burn up..."

(Shemot 19:18)

Rachel Noam's Story

Rachel Noam was struck by a six-meter wooden scaffold falling from a building while walking on a Tel Aviv street. She unexpectedly felt out of her body, hovering about five meters above, watching events unfold beneath her.

Rachel saw her body on the sidewalk and thought: 'That's my body, but I'm not in it! How can I see it from above? What eyes am I seeing with? What ears am I hearing with?'

She had never considered herself a reality beyond her physical form. Yet, she wasn't scared or in pain. Instead, she felt well and at ease, needing no body to see, hear, or think.

The scene began to change. Events in the street blurred, and suddenly a bright light emerged and intensified, radiating immense spirituality.

Her life's events suddenly flashed before her, as if recorded, every moment detailed from birth to collapse. The scenes were vivid and immersive. It felt like a film capturing her life's motions, sounds, and colors.

Communication with the light was telepathic, like airborne words. She saw again the dazzling, enveloping light. Comparing it to known earthly light sources was futile; even the sun appeared dim before this vast luminescence. The light overflowed with infinite love. Words couldn't capture its beauty, compassion, and wonder.

Rachel felt like she'd dissolve into the light. Handling the noble emotions of love and kindness was unbearable. She tried shielding herself, but without physical eyes, no closure was possible!

Drawn to the light's might, she expressed her pull toward it but requested to return to her body for another chance.

The accident happened on her 22nd birthday. She felt unfulfilled, witnessing her young lifeless form. Regretting wasted time, she wanted to amend her life's tapestry. Torn between immense love for the light and compassion for her earthly duties and companions, she cried.

Seeing her injured body, she returned swiftly, feeling alive in her tangible form; the sun above seemed faint, its warmth limited. Sunlight protects our earthly existence, covering the infinite light, necessary for bodily life.

Rachel felt endless joy upon reuniting with earthly life. The timber that struck her lay on the road, and she realized her survival was miraculous.

She encountered a prayer book at home, reading with interest, reliving her transformative experience.

"The soul you placed in me is pure..."

Reading it evoked vivid memories of her encounter with the divine. The text resonated: Hashem restores souls to lifeless forms; Rachel knew it to be true from personal experience.

Her emotions surged, tears flowing. Rachel realized the compassionate sun shields us from overwhelming divine light; our world subsists on traces of its radiance.

Engrossed in the prayer book, she reflected on her encounter. For hours, she devoured its content, feeling its truth. Rachel hadn't understood the significance of prayer before that night.

Reflecting on years spent blind to her spiritual nature, she acknowledged the miraculous return of her soul.

(From 'Returning Light', Vol. 1 by Oded Mizrachi)