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Death & Mourning

While Judaism places great emphasis on our lives in this world, death is an inevitable end for all of us. Often Jews who have been distant from traditional Jewish practice for their whole lives seek the comfort of traditional Judaism in the face of death. For mourners, whose lives are often turned upside down by death, the traditional practices of mourning can provide structure and comfort. Here you will find resources that address each aspect of the process of navigating death and mourning—from the moment of death, to the burial of the body, the tearing of clothes, the weeklong practice of shiva, and the recitation of kaddish.

 

Latest Rituals

Applying the Jewish ethical system of Mussar to the grieving process

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A poem on transforming mourning into dancing

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Reflection on commemorating loved ones

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What balm will ease my suffering?

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“It just became your life, your house always lit up like / Paris at night because you were afraid of the darkness splicing / time ever again”

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Contemplating glory and strength during difficult times

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Reflecting on the recent desecration of Jewish cemeteries

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Unveiling ceremony for a grandparent

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Prayer mourning the loss of a mother

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Creative translation of prayer for the dead

starry sky over desert and mountains

The Reconstructionist Network

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Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis

Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues

Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives

Join the Ritualwell community to explore rituals that will bring a sense of sacred awareness to your Thanksgiving table and into your everyday life!

Jewish practices provide us with valuable frameworks to foster awareness and joy through gratitude.

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The Reconstructionist Network