Judaism encompasses the religion, philosophy, culture and
way of life of the Jewish people. Judaism is an ancient monotheistic religion,
with the Torah as its foundational text and supplemental oral tradition
represented by later texts such as the Midrash and the Talmud.
Judaism is
considered by Jews to be the expression of the covenantal
relationship that God established with the Children of Israel.
Judaism claims a historical
continuity spanning more than 3000 years.
Judaism's texts, traditions and
values strongly influenced later Abrahamic religions, including Christianity, Islam
and the Baha'l Faith. Many aspects of Judaism have also directly or indirectly
influenced secular Western ethics and civil law
Funeral, Grievance and Remembrance Customs
of Judaism.
Jewish mourning rituals both
honor the dead and provide a structure for the mourning process. All
customs are designed to treat the body with respect; therefore, autopsies and
embalming are generally prohibited.
Viewing the corpse is also considered
disrespectful. The emotional needs of the survivors are very important. There is
variance among Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox Jewish practices.
No funeral is allowed on Saturday
(the Sabbath) or on major religious holidays. Music and flowers are not encouraged.
Eulogies are given by rabbis,
family and friends. When the deceased person is held in high regard, there
are usually several eulogies.
Family members and others
accompany the casket to the grave and are encouraged to place a shovel of earth
on the casket, as a sign of the finality of death.
Many mourners may wear a black pin
with a torn ribbon, or a torn garment during the funeral and for the next week
as a symbol of grief.
It is important to remember in
the funeral and religious customs of Judaism that one never sends flowers to a
Jewish funeral.
Newborn babies may be named after
the deceased.
Stages of Mourning.
Jewish
tradition recognizes several stages of mourning, moving from total absorption
in grief, to complete re-engagement in everyday life.
- The time between death and burial (aninut in Hebrew)
- The seven days following burial (shivah, meaning seven)
- The first 30 days after burial (shloshim, meaning thirty)
- The first year.
- Keeping memory alive.
Each stage has specific mourning
practices. The first anniversary is marked by the unveiling of a tombstone at a
special ceremony.
At the
end of the first year the mourning period comes to a close. Beyond these
initial periods of mourning, there are yearly opportunities built into the
calendar for remembering those we lost. Yahrzeit, the anniversary of
death and Yizkor (remembrance), a liturgical piece recited on certain holidays,
are both opportunities to remember and mourn the loved one.
Main Judaism Holy Places of the World.
The
Western Wall, (known as "wailing Wall") site of
the second Temple in the Jewish Quarter of Old City, Jerusalem, Israel.
Rachels
Tomb,
Bethlehem, Israel.
Tomb
of King David, Old City, Jerusalem, Israel.
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