[HarleyD]

The belief in the pre-existence of the souls is a pagan (Greek and Persian) belief that was added to Pharisaical Judaism

In my mind it is difficult to glean what what the original thinking of Judaism 3,000 years ago verses what the thinking is today. Even in Jesus' time there were arguments over whether there was a heaven and hell. Our Lord flat out told the Sadducee they were wrong. How on earth can one try to piece together what the true thought pattern was given 2,000 years of corrupt teaching?

In reading through the Jewish Encyclopedia I wouldn't make too much out of your quote as it is built upon a bunch of rabbinical traditions. (ouch!)

However, I couldn't help but noticing the Jewish view of the soul on another site:

Humans are born morally pure; Judaism has no concept analogous to original sin. Judaism affirms that people are born with a yetzer ha-tov (יצר הטוב), a tendency to do good, and with a yetzer hara (יצר הרע), a tendency to do evil. Thus, human beings have free will and can choose the path in life that they will take. The rabbis even recognize a positive value to the yetzer ha-ra: without the yetzer ha-ra there would be no civilization or other fruits of human labor. The implication is that yetzer ha-tov and yetzer ha-ra are best understood not only as moral categories of good and evil but as the inherent conflict within man between selfless and selfish orientations. - Wikipedia's Jewish Principles of Faith

I would say their view of the soul fits more in line with Orthodoxy than it does Reformed Protestantism. So much for Greek thought of the Jews. In fact, at the risk of insult, the Orthodox are convincing me that the Orthodox views are strictly built on western thoughts and ideas.

[kosta50]

In my mind it is difficult to glean what what the original thinking of Judaism 3,000 years ago verses what the thinking is today

Well, assuiming the Torah is authentic, we should be able to.

I would say their view of the soul fits more in line with Orthodoxy than it does Reformed Protestantism. So much for Greek thought of the Jews. In fact, at the risk of insult, the Orthodox are convincing me that the Orthodox views are strictly built on western thoughts and ideas

Which is it, HD? Are the Orthodox more in line with the Jews or with "westerns" (Protestants)? They can't be both.

Our Lord flat out told the Sadducee they were wrong.

Actually, He did that more to the Pharisees. I think He even told them that their father is the devil! No wonder the Jamnia rabbis cursed His name.