Techiyat

Techiyat, short for techiyat ha-metim, is the Hebrew term for the resurrection of the dead, a central eschatological concept in traditional Judaism. The word comes from the Hebrew root chayah, meaning to live or revive; techiyah denotes revival or restoration, and techiyat ha-metim specifically refers to the resurrection of the dead.

Textual basis and rabbinic discussion: In the Hebrew Bible, resurrection is most explicit in Daniel 12:2, and Ezekiel 37 presents a vision of revived bodies often cited as a prefiguration of renewal. Rabbinic literature treats techiyat ha-metim as a future event at the end of days, with debates about its nature—whether bodily or spiritual—and its timing. Classical sources, as well as later Jewish philosophy and law, affirm the belief as part of traditional eschatology, while offering varied interpretations of how it will occur and who will participate.

Philosophical and theological development: The Rambam (Maimonides) lists the Resurrection of the Dead as one of the Thirteen Principles of Jewish Faith, underscoring its significance in Jewish thought. Among scholars, interpretations range from a bodily resurrection to more symbolic or national resurrective themes, such as a renewal of the Jewish people or the world. In Kabbalistic and medieval rationalist streams, these visions are explored with different metaphysical nuances, but the core idea remains a divine act of revival at a future era.

Practice and reception: In traditional Jewish communities, techiyat ha-metim remains a topic of faith tied to the Messianic era and divine sovereignty. Modern denominations vary in emphasis, with Orthodox Judaism generally affirming a traditional view of bodily resurrection, while Conservative and Reform approaches range from conventional to symbolic interpretations, reflecting broader debates about the afterlife and eschatology.