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4754
qualitative
book
Wills-Brandon, Carla. Seven Heavens: The Afterlife in the Jewish Tradition. Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions, 2023. Older Jewish Gentleman, pp. 95-96.
Seven Heavens: The Afterlife in the Jewish Tradition, Older Jewish Gentleman, pp. 95-96, 2023
2023
72
M
A 72-year-old Jewish man with a history of receiving visitations from deceased relatives and friends underwent heart surgery. He had experienced multiple heart surgeries and a major heart attack previously. During one of his surgeries while in intensive care, he had a profound visitation experience. At the time, he was neither depressed nor afraid of dying. His best friend of over sixty years had died the previous year after a prolonged illness, predeceased by both of his children and his wife.
While asleep in intensive care, he saw a river in his dreams. One side of the river was very dark, while the other side was extremely bright and beautiful with green grass and rolling hills. He found himself on the dark side of the river. Suddenly, his deceased best friend appeared with his wife and one of their children on the bright side of the river. They were all holding hands, smiling, and laughing together. His mother and father, both deceased, also appeared smiling, laughing, and waving at him. A little boy was with them whom he recognized as his grandson who had died at childbirth. His maternal grandmother and one of his maternal aunts were also present on the bright side, smiling, laughing, and waving. His friend spoke to him from across the river saying, "When the time comes, my wife and I will take you across the river." The experience ended when he awoke feeling peaceful rather than frightened. The man reported he was not afraid of dying before the visitation and certainly not afterward. The experience reinforced his belief that when his time comes, his family and friends will be there to guide him across to the other side. He found great comfort in knowing he would not die alone and that those he loved were waiting for him in a beautiful place.
3
Hospital
12
8
25
Suggestive Evidence
5
Heart surgery with general anesthesia, ICU monitoring, documented medical procedures
Specific identification of multiple deceased relatives including grandson who died at birth
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7/28/2025
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