The belief in reincarnation is not a central tenet of traditional Judaism, and it is not commonly held among all Jews. Reincarnation, as understood in many Eastern religious traditions, involves the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, with the soul taking on new bodies over various lifetimes. While some Jewish mystics and scholars have explored the idea of reincarnation, it remains a minority view within Judaism.
The belief in reincarnation has its roots in various mystical interpretations of Jewish texts, especially in the realm of Kabbalah, the esoteric and mystical branch of Judaism. In some Kabbalistic writings, there are references to the concept of the transmigration of souls or gilgul (Hebrew for "rolling" or "cycling"). According to these interpretations, souls may be reincarnated into new bodies to rectify certain spiritual matters or to continue their journey towards spiritual growth and enlightenment.
The most well-known proponent of the idea of reincarnation in Jewish mystical tradition was Rabbi Isaac Luria, also known as the Ari, who lived in the 16th century. He taught about the concept of gilgulim (reincarnations) as part of his teachings on Kabbalah.
It's important to note that the belief in reincarnation is not a mainstream or universally accepted belief within Judaism. Traditional Jewish beliefs focus on concepts such as the immortality of the soul, the afterlife, and the eventual resurrection of the dead in the Messianic era.
The idea of reincarnation might have similarities with some Eastern traditions, but it is essential to recognize that each religious and cultural tradition has its unique interpretations and understandings of the afterlife and the journey of the soul. The concept of reincarnation in Judaism is a product of its own historical and mystical development and should not be seen as a direct borrowing from Eastern religions.