Editorial

The Passover and
Easter Feasts

The Talk — Youth Asks

Our Roots
Salvation

What Do
Catholics and Jews Believe?

Enlightening News

News Items

We Remember

Archive

What Do
Catholics and Jews Believe?

Jewish Life, Death and Mourning for most Jews
Life is so valuable, Jews are not permitted to do anything that may hasten death, not even to prevent suffering. Euthanasia, suicide and assisted suicide are strictly forbidden by Jewish law. The Talmud states that you may not even move a dying person’s arms if that would shorten his life.

However, where death is imminent and certain, and the patient is suffering. Jewish law does permit one to cease artificially prolonging life. Thus, in certain circumstances, Jewish law permits “pulling the plug” or refusing extraordinary means of prolonging life.

Death is not a tragedy, even when it occurs early in life or through unfortunate circumstances. Death is a natural process. Our deaths, like our lives, have meaning and are all part of God’s plan. In addition, most Jews have a firm belief in an afterlife, a world to come, where those who have lived a worthy life will be rewarded.

Autopsies in general are discouraged as desecration of the body. They are permitted, however, where it may save a life or where local law requires it. When autopsies must be performed, they should be minimally intrusive.

The body must not be cremated. It must be buried in the earth. Coffins are not required, but if they are used, they must have holes drilled in them so the body comes in contact with the earth.

The body is never displayed at funerals; open casket ceremonies are forbidden by Jewish law. According to Jewish law, exposing a body is considered disrespectful, because it allows not only friends, but also enemies to view the dead, mocking their helpless state.

Jewish mourning practices can be broken into several periods of decreasing intensity. These mourning periods allow the full expression of grief, while discouraging excesses of grief and allowing the mourner to gradually return to a normal life.

When a close relative (parent, sibling, spouse or child) first hears of the death of a relative, it is traditional to express the initial grief by tearing one’s clothing. The tear is made over the heart if the deceased is a parent, or over the right side of the chest for other relatives. The mourner recites the blessing describing God as “the true Judge,” an acceptance of God’s taking of the life of a relative.

From the time of death to the burial, the mourner’s sole responsibility is caring for the deceased and preparing for the burial. This period is known as aninut. During this time, the mourners are exempt from all positive commandments. This period usually lasts a day or two, Judaism requires prompt burial.

During this aninut period, the family should be left alone and allowed the full expression of grief. Condolence calls or visits should not be made during this time.

After the burial, a close relative, near neighbor or friend prepares the first meal for the mourners. This meal traditionally consists of eggs (a symbol of life) and bread. The meal is for the family only, not for visitors. After this time, condolence calls are permitted.

The next period of mourning is known as shiva (seven, because it lasts seven days). Shiva is observed by parents, children, spouses and siblings of the deceased, preferably all together in the deceased’s home. Shiva begins on the day of burial and continues until the morning of the seventh day after burial. Mourners sit on low stools or the floor instead of chairs, do not wear leather shoes, do not shave or cut their hair, do not wear cosmetics, do not work, and do not do things for comfort or pleasure, such as bathe, have sex, put on fresh clothing or study Torah (except Torah related to mourning and grief). Mourners wear the clothes that they tore at the time of learning of the death or at the funeral. Mirrors in the house are covered. Prayer services are held where the shiva is held, with friends, neighbors and relatives making up the minyan (10 people required for certain prayers).

Finally, Kaddish, the mourner’s prayer is recited for the dead person.

According to Jewish tradition, the sould must spend some time purifying itself before it can enter the World to Come. The maximum time required for purification is 12 months, for the most evil person. To recite Kaddish for 12 months would imply that the parent was the type who needed 12 months of purification! To avoid this implication, theologians decreed that a son should recite Kaddish for only eleven months.

A person is permitted to recite Kaddish for others close relatives as well as parents, but only if his parents are dead.

It must be remembered that Judaism has four major groups (Orthodox, Conservative, Reformed, Reconstructionist) with different customs and traditions as interpreted by their theologians. Therefore, what we have mentioned above will vary in each major Jewish group.

Permisssion by T. Rich — Jewfaq.org