Grieving With A Rabbi Funeral

By William Stewart


It is never easy losing someone close in life especially if a friend or family member. A Rabbi funeral is there to assist with questions one may have and as well, to officiate the service in the correct way. The sooner the burial is underway the better it is for all as prolonging it tends to make one feel more depressed and sad about the whole matter.

Sitting Shiva as it is known comprises the first seven days of a mourning period. This is when foods are eaten such as eggs and bagels to signify the continuity of life and that the soul has passed on from this world and has been received in the next. There are many mitzvahs of connections that a Jew does daily in bringing themselves close to the creator.

The total grieving period lasts up to eleven months where everyday those close to the deceased such as sons of a father that has passed away, says a prayer called Kadish. This is done three times a day until the eleven months has passed. This requires sons or worse enough fathers that have lost a child, to attend synagogue three times a day for morning, afternoon and evening prayers until the time has elapsed.

In total, a Jew must mourn for eleven months and this requires a man to go to Synagogue three times a day in order to say Kaddish which is a prayer in remembrance of the departed. In the mornings, it is custom to don a Talit or prayer shawl and to put on tefillin. This is done everyday in the life of a religious Jew but for those who do not do this ordinarily, find it comforting to do so during the period of mourning.

A mitzvah or action that brings one closer to God is done so that one may achieve a better result when a life is reviewed in the hereafter. That is why there are so many in the Jewish Religion with life focused around this goal. Doing things like donning a Talit and putting on Tefillin are one of those actions that strengthen a connection with a Supreme Being. Saying Brachot or blessings over food is also one that reminds Jews that everything comes from God alone and should be appreciated to its fullest.

Judaism speaks of this often and is fraught with Mitzvot or connections that a Jew does everyday in order to gain reward in the next life. This could be as simple as putting on Tefillin or phylacteries that a boy over the age of thirteen must do every day of his life. It is about making a connection to God.

For those in mourning this is a comfort too and something that is done without question. Losing someone is hard enough. When this is so following a system of mourning makes it that much easier as it helps one to grieve in the best way possible.

It is not an easy time. Keeping to tradition does help. For any queries or questions, a funeral Rabbi should be consulted.




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