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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

An article about the power of traditional mourning practices for healing and an idea for a new ritual
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An article discussing the issues around Orthodox women saying kaddish
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Preparing to say Kaddish for an abusive parent on the occasion of their yahrzeit

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A contemporary Jewish poem for mourning and sorrow

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Selecting verses from Psalms on the basis of the Hebrew name of the deceased

blank notebook with flowers and pen

This traditional prayer for the dead

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A creative ritual to mark the end of shloshim

man standing on rocks looking at waves in water
Offering an alternative to Orthodox women who cannot or prefer not to say kaddish
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The spirit of this Psalm parallels the Mourner’s Kaddish and, in translation, can be recited in non-gendered God-Language.
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A ritual for taking off a wedding ring

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