Gilguls are human souls who after death are reborn as animals, plants, rocks, or water as a punishment of sin in past lives. Their new form is meant to teach them a lesson and provide them an opportunity for redemption. Gilgul are seared with memories of their past life so that they may reflect on it throughout their incarnation.

Souls may also be reborn as a human infant. They were not ready for the World to Come but this is our lot; humans forget their past lives on birth and are, therefore, free of attachment and unburdened. Human souls may still have lessons to learn from life or other work left to complete. Repairing the world will take all of human time, but this represents our calling, not our punishment.

Perhaps no form of Gilgul is more treacherous or dangerous than in bodies of water. When a Gilgul becomes trapped in a river, the water bubbles. Sometimes Gilguls punish those who who have drowned others by tempting them into the water or drag humans into the depths just out of spite.

Do not look at your reflection in lakes or rivers or you may become possessed by a Gilgul. Never drink from a body of water at night or a Gilgul may take over your body, forcing out your soul.

Commentary #

Rafa Salik would tell the following story:

There once lived a stingy man, may his name be forgotten, who believed one should only care for one’s own needs. He lived at the edge of town and never gave charity to the Loving Kindness Committee or shared a meal with a hungry person in his whole 90 years of life. He was reborn as a cat with a bell that alerted all prey to his movements. As the Avodai fear cats, he could only find scraps of cheese and eggs in the village trash all his days, which was not good for his stomach.

-Rafa Shai