Gilgul (Kabbalah)

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For the role playing game, see Gilgul (game).

Gilgul, Gilgul neshamot or Gilgulei neshamot (Heb. גלגול הנשמות) refers to the concept of reincarnation, eminating from the Kabbalistic framework within Judaism. In Hebrew, the word gilgul means "cycle" and neshamot is the plural for "souls." Souls are seen to "cycle" through "lives" or "incarnations", being attached to different human bodies over time. Which body they associate with depends on their particular task in the physical world, spiritual levels of the bodies of predecessors and so on.

The most basic component of the soul is called the nefesh and is always part of the gilgul process, as it must leave at the cessation of blood production (a stage of death). It moves to another body, where life has begun. There are four other soul components and different nations of the world possess different forms of souls with different purposes.

The essential Kabbalistic text in regards to "gilgul" is called Sha'ar Ha'Gilgulim ("The Gate of Reincarnations"), based on the work of Rabbi Isaac Luria (and compiled by his disciple, Rabbi Chaim Vital). It describes the deep, complex laws of reincarnation. One concept that arises from Sha'ar Ha'gilgulim is the idea that "gilgul" is paralleled physically by pregnancy.

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