death

During aninut, the phase between death and burial, the despairing mourner is freed of ritual obligations.

The actions required of mourners following the death of close relatives help them to confront the reality of the death, to work through feelings of ambivalence, and to express grief and anger.

The specific prohibitions on mourners during the shiva period reflect the mourner's sense of estrangement from the life force.

Mourning customs reflect the depersonalization and distance from God experienced by the mourner who has just confronted the death of a close relative.

Translated by Rabbi Amy Eilberg

An overview of Jewish death and mourning practices.

This concept is a creation of rabbinic literature.

Can women say the Mourner's Kaddish?

It may feel like walking through the valley of the shadow of death.