Death, Burial, and Bereavement
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Invasive Thoughts, Thoughts of Death
Recently I started to think a lot about death and I can’t stop thinking about it. It worries me a lot and I’m only 22 years old. I’m worried that G-d forbid I’ll get sick and die early. I don’t…
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Watchman (Shomer) for the Deceased
Why is a watchman (Shomer) required to remain with the deceased prior to burial? Answer: Thank you for your question. The Talmud instructs us to guard the body of a deceased person prior to burial as a protection against animals…
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Is one spiritually connected to their namesake?
My son is named for his paternal grandmother and maternal great-grandmother who predeceased him. Tragically, our son passed away at 18 due to illness this past Fall. I had a very vivid dream last night (it’s been a difficult week…
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Naming a Child for a Deceased Relative
My husband and I named our son for my grandfather, or so we thought, based on information given to us by a family member. After a recent visit to my grandfather’s grave, however, we learned that we got the middle…
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Reincarnation and Resurrection
The concept of a reincarnation intrigues me. What does it mean to have had a previous life? Is it mentioned in the Torah at all or is it just a superstition? Also, if my soul has been used more than…
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Alzheimers and the Soul
What happens to the soul of a person with dementia or Alzheimer disease? Is it overwhelmed by the disease so nothing of the person is obvious or does it leave the body and is watched over by G-d? I work…
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Divorce and Grieving
Has Judaism developed any rituals or guidelines for guiding people through the grieving process after they divorce their spouse? I am thinking of a process parallel to the traditional rituals for mourning the death of a loved one. Answer: Sometimes…
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Visiting a Relative’s Grave
I remember reading or hearing somewhere that you’re supposed to go to the cemetery and invite the dead to family events, like weddings, but my mother doesn’t remember this and now I can’t find where I heard it! I know…
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Grim Reaper’s Jewish Name
What name do Jews call the Angel of Death? By this I don’t mean the scary grim reaper depicted in the media. Rather what angel accompanies a soul when person dies? Answer: Thank you for your question. Judaism teaches us…