practices: jewish mourning rituals Flashcards
what happens to the body following a jewish person’s death?
the body is washed and wrapped in a white cloth which may be the tallit that belonged to the person
what happens to the body until the burial takes place
the body must not be left alone and someone should stay with the body until the burial takes place
what does the torah states about the body until the burial takes place
outlines that the burial must take place within 24 hours
why does the body need to be washed and wrapped in white?
as jewish custom says a person should leave the world in the same way they entered it
what is the ‘Aninut’?
means pre-burial mourning
during this time, the family will concentrate only on funeral arrangements and each will make a small tear in their clothes before the funeral service
where does the tearing of the clothes come from?
the story of jacob in the torah
jacob believed his son joseph to be dead
states “then jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days”
following the burial, what is the ‘shiva’?
7 day mourning period
during this time, mourners remain at home and carry out a number of traditions
family members will sit on low chairs or stools and cover mirrors in the house
why do jews sit on low chairs during the shiva?
sitting on low chairs comes from the book of Job in the Tanakh
jews follow the example of job by bringing small chairs or stools into their house for 7 days
why do jews cover mirrors in the house during shiva?
as the focus of attention should be on the deceased person and not on their physical appearance
what is the source of authority relating to the shiva?
“then they sat in the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. no one said a word to him because they saw how great his suffering was”
what happens following the shiva?
30 more days of mourning
less intense
most family ep members will resume normal activities such as work
what are the certain restrictions after the shiva?
cutting hair
shaving the beard
attending celebrations such as jewish festivals
what happens after the mourning period is over?
the children or close relatives will continue to mourn for an entire year
what happens on the year anniversary?
what does it symbolise?
a candle will be lit and prayers are dedicated to the deceased symbolising the end of the mourning period for the children
what continues on the anniversary? why?
tradition of lighting the candle as it comes from the book of proverbs in the tanakh which states “the candle of the lord searches the soul of man”
