Customer Reviews

Beyond the Ashes: Cases of Reincarnation from the Holocaust

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To those here who found the subtitle "misleading" because (they felt) I spent too much time on Jewish theology and not enough time on actual case histories:

First of all, I had to have permission to use people's stories, and very few were willing to give it, even if I changed their names. Back then, the subject of Holocaust reincarnations was taboo, and people were afraid that, if they were recognized in the book, they would be labeled as "crazy" or worse. So, although I had talked to about 250 people by the time the book was published, only a dozen or so were willing to have the details of their stories published -- and then only under pseudonyms. (My second book, "From Ashes to Healing," corrected this. After seeing the acceptance that the first book received, 15 people were now willing to tell their stories in public, all under their own names except for one mother whose child was still a minor.)

Now about the theology parts: At the time "Beyond the Ashes" was published back in 1992, there was virtually NOTHING in print about Jewish reincarnation teachings, at least, not available English. Nor was there anything about cases from the Holocaust period, except for a hint here and there in certain Jewish publications. Not only that, but the "new age" interpretation of the Holocaust back then was that Jews in the camps were all nasty bad guys who had come back en masse to burn off their bad karma, and that Judaism was some sort of purgatory where folks could do that quickly.

Needless to say, these theories were extremely offensive to Jews. Mostly they came from non-Jews, especially the writings of Alice Bailey, an esotericist who was also an antisemite. Other such theories came from certain sects of "new agers" who had carried over negative stereotypes about Jews from Christianity into their supposedly enlightened "new age consciousness." Even the former president of APRT (now IART), Hazel Denning, believed that the Holocaust victims were all former barbarians returned, and she publicly said so on radio and TV -- much to the horror of Jewish pastlife therapists. (The first time I spoke at an APRT conference, the Jewish therapists pulled me aside literally begged me to address this issue from the podium -- which I did.)

Such theories were (and still are) repulsively antisemitic. They show a total lack of understanding about the beautiful path that Judaism can be, or about the subtle complexities of how karma actually works. So I felt it was my responsibility to do more than just tell "horror stories" about Holocaust pastlife memories and flashbacks. I would have been shirking my duty as a rabbi and a teacher if I had not tried to put these stories into some sort of larger context. Going "beyond the ashes" meant grappling with the bigger issues of the Holocaust, of the role of Jews in planetary healing, of the issues of diversity, tolerance, multiculturalism, world peace, etc. Otherwise the book would be nothing more than tabloid sensationalism, heaven forbid.

Since the book was published over a decade ago, the "new age" has grown immensely in its understanding and appreciation of Jewish teachings -- in a large part because of this book, which has become a classic in the pastlife therapy field. A lot of general readers have also written and thanked me for opening up the world of Jewish spirituality. The theology parts may seem unnecessary now, but in its day, the book was a groundbreaking work. It has been responsible for a great deal of healing between Jews and non-Jews, and I am proud to have been the one to write it.

Thank you for reading this. May you always walk the spiritual Path in beauty, joy, and peace.

Rabbi Yonassan Gershom,
author, "Beyond the Ashes"

I originally bought this book more for the Jewish theology than the reincarnation cases as such. When it first came out back in 1992, it was the only book around that explained anything about Jewish reincarnation teachings in a way that didn't require three Ph.Ds. The Rabbi's open, personal style made me feel like he was teaching me as an equal, not talking down to me from some ivory tower somewhere.

It was also the only book that offered a more sophisticated view of the Holocaust than the stupid "karmic payback" theories that were floating around back then (and now, too.) In my opinion, this book did more than any book I know of to make New Agers re-examine their negative Old Age attitudes about Jews and Judaism. It's a reincarnation classic and still a must-read. It sure changed my ideas about "Jewish karma" -- and my life, too.

This was a really interesting book, but based on the title, I was expecting it to be more about the cases of people who had had previous incarnations during the Shoah. There were maybe a dozen or so such cases presented, even though the author has counseled a plethora of such people. The cases he does present merely seem to serve as a backdrop for a greater theme of reincarnation in Judaism, Jewish mysticism, and popular misconceptions about the place of spirituality, reincarnation, and New Age elements in Judaism, along with his own mystical beliefs and experiences. It's not that it was badly-written, just that, based on the title, the book would have been better-served focusing more on the many individuals he counseled and the specifics of each of their cases, instead of just using short synopses of about a dozen of their stories as a backdrop for the abovementioned topics. I read the book because I too believe I was there before and am interested in reincarnation stories anyway; I didn't purchase it in the expectation of reading mostly about Jewish mysticism (a great topic, but not one I was looking for here) and other topics that didn't really relate that much to the title.

I heard about this book because of a review that Rabbi Gershom did about Monteleone's novel, "Night of Broken Souls." Believe me, "Beyond the Ashes" is much better than any fiction! The true case histories that the Rabbi tells are really amazing. Once I started reading, I could not stop.

The Rabbi's book also has a really good chapter on Jewish beliefs about reincarnation and life after death -- which really surprized me that they can believe in it. I was taught in Sunday school that Jews do not beleive in life after death at all, but boy, did this book set me straight on that one!

I came away from this book with a much deeper respect for Jews and Judaism, as well as some real good insights about reincarnation. This book taught me that Jews do have a spirituality, too. Even if you are not very interested in the Holocaust, read it for the theology parts. It will change your life.

I highly recommend this book-but I warn you, it isn't an easy one to read. This is a Holocaust study-with the same gruesome imagery described by Primo Levi and others-but related by dozens of people. And all the memories originate in past lives and their sudden ends.

Rabbi Gershom is a compelling and compassionate writer. He tells an engaging story of himself becoming the unplanned recipient of these dramatic past-life recollections. He seems a worthy vessel of such privileged information-honest, humble, and caring-if you or I had similar terrible secrets to share, we might pick someone like him to tell them to.

A fascinating aspect of this report-and one that lends it validity-is that so many of the people who recalled these Holocaust deaths had no cultural basis to support them. Many are Gentiles in this life, but brought forward the beautiful Jewish rituals and customs as well as the far-less-pleasant flashbacks.

One especially valuable chapter is a meditation on Healing the Karma of the Holocaust. There are a number of interesting ideas that branch out from the central concept of this book-the possibility, for instance, that many who died during WW II are reincarnating now-and Rabbi Gershom gives them all thoughtful consideration.

Through the Holocaust, Hitler and his henchmen succeeded for a time in bringing hell on earth. And yet, as I read this book, I saw a light shining in the darkness. Here were hundreds of those murdered innocents, alive once more, telling their stories. If these reports are true, then, in the deepest sense, the Nazi "experiment" of Jewish liquidation was an utter failure. Not only did they not extinguish the light of Judaism, but they failed ultimately to extinguish the individuals they killed, too.

At any rate, if you can handle the subject matter, Beyond the Ashes offers a vision of soul-expansion and healing, and I urge you to give it a try.

Richard Salva--author of Soul Journey from Lincoln to Lindbergh [UNABRIDGED]

Beyond the Ashes is a fascinating, original and wide-ranging exploration of Holocaust reincarnation case studies, the variety of Jewish beliefs concerning life after death, and the ties between Jewish spiritual traditions and those of other cultures. (Believe it or not, there are a number of parallels between Jewish mystical traditions and those of various Native American tribes, including the Hopi.)

If you are interested in reading about reincarnation from a Jewish perspective and learning about Judaism from a more
spiritual standpoint than is typically available, read this book.

This book changed my life at age 46. After a lifetime of recurring dreams, 'notions' and deja vu's, Reb Gershom's book showed me I was not alone, and clarified for me that my 'memories' of dying in a Nazi death camp was valid insight into a past life.

Whether or not you believe in reincarnation, this stunning book is a page-turner you won't be able to put down until you finish it. Then you'll want more! It will make you weep, and it will make you happy. But best of all, it will make you think!

Dear Rabbi,
I read your book many years ago, and happened upon these reviews as I was looking for the book, having recommended to my students. I certainly would fall into the lose category of 'new age' as I run an intuitive training program in Austin, Texas.
I recommended this book to my students because I found it incredibly insightful about the thought processes, patterns and meaning of reincarnation. I'm saddened to hear that some supposed 'new age' thinkers made such offensive, antisemitic remarks.
I think there is a natural, but unfortunate, tendency for many people to blame the victims of hideous crimes. To conclude that the souls of those lost in the Holocaust where there due to their own misdeeds is simplistic, unkind and I believe entirely inaccurate. It reminds me of stories I have heard from Indian, where a certain population of Hindu zealots maintain that those who are poor are suffering because they have 'bad' karma.
In fact, it is my belief that allowing others to suffer cannot ever be justified, and is in itself creating negative karma for the person who judges others unworthy.
Bad things happen to good people all the time. We know that millions of Holocaust victims were good people - many of them children, like Anne Frank.
I just wanted to say that this book has had a profound influence on my own views and my work, and to apologize for misdeeds of my fellows.
The New Age is not a set movement, and certainly has no definite doctrine. I hope you realize as well that we have both positive and negative influences in our community, as exist in every spiritual movement. I will continue to recommend your work to my students, and hope your schlorship will continue.

Sincerely,
Lindsey Scott-Ipsen
Director,
Center for Intuitive Studies, Austin

Beyond the Ashes is a terrific, absorbing retelling of the Holocaust reincarnation 'memories' of real people. The author fully accepts reincarnation, and deeply moves the reader by treating his subject with reverence and respect. A blessing of a book!

Rabbi Gershom's book is the first that I am aware of to open up the idea of reincarnation of people from modern times. He expresses his personal belief in reincarnation, and shares his experiences in helping people to heal from past-life traumas suffered in the Holocaust. His anecdotes are not about gathering proof, but about helping people to heal. I liked the way he clearly explained relevant aspects of the kabbalah and Jewish practices and beliefs. He notes patterns he finds in these cases, but is not dogmatic about them. If you are looking for a book on how using past-life memories can heal, this would be a perfect read.