Do modern Jews believe in purgatory?
The short answer
Not as a doctrine. Judaism's theology of the afterlife is not highly developed, but traditional Jews pray and hold memorials for their dead — practices in line with Catholic concern for the departed. The books of Maccabees are generally not part of the modern Jewish canon.
No doctrine of purgatory
Jewish theology of the afterlife is not highly developed, partly because Judaism emphasizes the importance of this life. Jews do not recognize the Catholic doctrine of purgatory as such.
Prayer for the dead
Still, traditional modern Jews offer prayers and memorials for their deceased loved ones — actions that agree with the Catholic concern for the souls of the dead.
Maccabees
The books of Maccabees are usually not included in modern Jewish canons of Scripture and are regarded by most Jews as apocryphal.
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