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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

“We are here / To find the cracks / At the edges of possibilities”
mountains sunrise fog clouds
“We can envision this world and beyond as havens of peace”
landscape of pink-tinted mountains with person standing and sky above with one cloud on the right side
“Whatever is being born / In the darkened seed / Of Mar Heshvan / Is welcomed”
autumn forest with path between trees and waning light
“Blessed burning of yahrzeit candle’
lit candle, thick and white, next to white petal on wood table against black background
“My mother was at peace, so I could be at peace.”
closeup of elderly woman's hands being held by younger person's hands, both light-skinned
“Blessed are those who couldn’t take the pain of living anymore”
person in silhouette looking out at foggy blue pink sky with tree in background
“It was on an island of death / That my mother / Visited me.”
person with backpack on standing outdoors looking out onto a misty sky with blurry landscape in the distance
“Why is it that I couldn’t know them more fully?”
black and white photo of drooping white flowers
“It is a cosmic principle … the Eternal Mystery”
Chukat-Olam-Water
“It’s a wonder / How comfort arrives: / From what source?”
Death-Takes-a-Seat-White-Lace-Dress-Pixabay

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