Sometimes when I tell people that purgatory is not a doctrine Catholics invented but one that predates Christianity (cf., 2 Maccabees 12:44-45) and thus finds a place in historic Judaism they disbelieve me .

THEY SHOULDN’T.

I’VE EVEN POINTED OUT THAT THE MOURNER’S KADDISH IS THE JEWISH EQUIVALENT TO THE CHRISTIAN PRACTICE OF PRAYING FOR THOSE IN PURGATORY.