Bereavement in Judaism

Bereavement is when someone feels very sad and misses someone who has died. In Judaism, when someone dies, their family and friends follow special traditions to show respect to the person who passed away and to help them cope with their sadness.

First, the body of the person who passed away is respectfully washed and dressed in special clothes. Then, family and friends come to say goodbye and pay their respects to the person who passed away.

After the funeral, the family of the person who passed away enter a mourning period called shiva. During shiva, family and friends come to visit the family and offer them support and comfort. The family will often sit on low chairs and cover mirrors, symbolizing their grief and temporary withdrawal from regular life.

During the shiva period, it is also customary to light a candle called a yahrzeit candle to remember the person who passed away. The family will also recite prayers and read from the Torah to honor their loved one.

After the shiva period, the family will observe shloshim for thirty days, during which they will continue to honor their loved one and abstain from some of the regular activities of daily life.

In Judaism, it is also important to remember the person who passed away on the anniversary of their death, which is called yahrzeit. This is done by lighting a special candle and reciting prayers.

Through these traditions and rituals, Judaism helps people cope with the sadness and grief that comes with losing a loved one.