Hell in Judaism
Question
As far as the belief in hell, to my knowledge, hell is only a temporary state of purification of the soul. Is this temporary state only for Jews or all people? What’s the difference between Sheol and Gehenna?
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
As you correctly note, in Judaism, "hell" (also known as Gehinnom, Sheol and more, all essentially synonymous on the surface) is a temporary place of spiritual cleansing of the soul. After the cleansing period, the soul is ready for its place in eternal Heaven based on the merits it accrued in this world.
The maximum duration is believed to be twelve months, which is why the Kaddish prayer is limited to eleven months, as twelve months in hell is said to be reserved for only the worst people.