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Categories:
- Burial (11)
Questions speicifc to Jewish burial.
- Cremation (5)
Questions pertaining to cremation
- Funeral (11)
Questiond specific to Jewish funerals
- Grave (11)
Questions specific to the grave, gravesite and headstones
- Jewish beliefs about afterlife (24)
Questions about Jewish belief in an Afterlife including questions on people and animals, reincarnation, the soul and concepts of heaven and hell.
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- Prayers (21)
Questions on prayers including Yizkor, Yarzheit and Kaddish
- Sheloshim (3)
Sheloshim covers the first thirty days after death.
- Shiva (16)
Shiva is the seven day period following a death.
- Unveiling (8)
Questions speicific to the unveiling.
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Questions:
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Adar Yahrtzheit and leap years.
- Yahrzeit for my mother is 29 Adar. This year is a leap year, so I am observing her yarhzeit today, 29 Adar I. Should I be observing on 29 Adar II? Or both?
Can a Kohen enter a cemetery?
- Why isn't a COHEN (sorry, don't know the English spelling) allowed in the chapel or cemetery - particularly with relation to the death of a grandparent or aunt or uncle or other close relative. Why wouldn't the need to comfort - the requirement to comfort - the mourner be important?
Can I wear wedding ring after spouse's death?
- My husband died of cancer 8 months ago. Am I still allowed to wear my engagement and wedding rings as usual?
Could you please suggest some books regarding the Jewish perspective on life and death.
- Could you please suggest some books regarding the Jewish perspective on life and death. My 14 year old daughter is having some difficulty coping with the death of her grandfather and mostly the death of a 12 year old acquaintance.
Death and faith
- Since the sudden death of my wonderful husband five years ago, I have lost my belief in G d. I went to a psychiatrist and also spoke to my rabbi about this terrible hole in my heart. Both said that my belief would return. It has not and I dread entering the synagogue. I am suffering. What can I do?
Does it say anywhere exactly how a suicide is punished?
- Someone very dear to me committed suicide. I am deeply anguished at the thought of how severely they are being punished. This was an Orthodox person who was well aware that suicide is assur. Does it say anywhere exactly how a suicide is punished? Do they ever merit Olam Habah? This was a good person who kept mitzvos, does Hashem discount a life of Torah observance because of one tragic, senseless act?
How can I have closure about the deaths of my parents?
- My father died many years ago. I was not there to see him at the end. It left a void in my life. Then, my mother died about 2 months ago. The same thing happened, She was not in the same city as I, and she died before I could get to her. I again feel a void. I never saw either one of them close their eyes at the end. How can I deal with the lack of closure that I feel?
How can I overcome my fear of death?
- Lately I have been very scared about passing away. Every time I have a free moment to think my mind automatically goes to that. It scares me very very much! I want to stop thinking about it - but I can't. I am only 12 and it is terrifying to me - what can I do to stop thinking about it?
How do I get over the death of my father?
- My father died four years ago. He was exceptionally important to me. I have such a difficult time with the loss. Many days I am fine but then there are days that I pine for him. How do I reaffirm faith which is something I'm too concrete to accept?
How long does the mourning process last?
- In your experience, how long does the mourning process last? Today I lit the yahrzeit candle for my mom, she died one year ago today. I am 24. I still miss her so much and always think about her. Does it get easier?
Is it appropriate for me to go to a Mikva for spiritual cleansing?
- Last year I lost the great love of my life in a car accident. I have tried many remedies to overcome the grief. I would like to know if it is appropriate for me to go to a Mikva for spiritual cleansing?
Jewish death rituals in a non-Jewish context.
- If a Jewish person dies in a hospital or nursing home, and no Jewish person is around at the time, is a non-Jewish health-care person [nurse, doctor, etc.] permitted to close the eyes and mouth, and open the hands, straightening the body if necessary?
Readings for dying patient
- I am studying to become a hospital chaplain and am currently a resident in a clinical pastoral education program. I am a lay Catholic. Recently, I had a Jewish patient with cancer and his wife (converted to Judaism from Christianity) whom I visited a few times. On the night that it appeared that he might die, his family was delayed in coming to the hospital and I understood his Rabbi to be out of town. At that moment I was not particularly sure of what I could do for this person. Typically I know of prayers of commendation of the dying and could have used these for him, but understanding the strength of his belief in Judaism, I wanted to be able to respect his life. I remembered that I had a pamphlet called Open Hands, by Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro, PH.D. and in this pamphlet was a Traditional viddui and Shema. I asked him if I could read it for him (in English) and he said yes. As I was reading to him, I could barely hear him and he referred me to Hosea 14 (by saying "the last chapter of Hosea). In my long about way of getting to the question - can you give me suggestions as to how I might be present for patients of Judaism beliefs?
Suicide and Jewish burial.
- Both my mother and grandmother committed suicide yet are buried in a Jewish cemetery. I am confused by this as I assumed that Jewish law prohibited burial of suicides in Jewish cemeteries. Are there denominational differences regarding this topic? Can the issue of cause of death be easily avoided when making burial arrangements?
Tattoos and Jewish Burial.
- My cousin recently got a tattoo. I understand by Jewish law she can no longer be buried in a Jewish Cemetery. What if she later has the tattoo removed? And what about all the survivors of the Holocaust that were tattooed with numbers against their will in the camps?
The different phases of mourning
- Please describe the different phases of mourning: the first seven days, thirty days, and one year.
What are the Jewish traditions for a stillborn child?
- What are the Jewish traditions for a stillborn child?
What constitutes a "Jewish" cemetary?
- What constitutes a "Jewish" cemetary. How does this differ from any other cemetary and what if there is no Jewish cemetary in the area?
What does one say to someone who has had a loved one die?
- What does one say to someone who has had a loved one die?
What does the family do at the exact moment of death?
- What does the family do at the exact moment of death? My father wishes to die at home.
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