Title: Mourning & mitzvah : a guided journal for walking the mourner's path through grief to healing /
Authors: Brener, Anne, 1948-
Publisher: Jewish Lights Pub.,
Year: 1993
Subjects: Jewish mourning customs; Consolation (Judaism); Funeral Rites; Judaism; Death; Bereavement; Spiritual Therapies
Abstract: While it follows the Jewish mourning process and tradition, this book is not just for Jews, but for all people who would gain strength to heal and insight from the Bible and teachings of Jewish tradition. "It is the best book on the subject that I have ever seen".--Rabbi Levi Meier, Ph.D. Over 60 guided meditations.
Contents: pt. 1. Tzimzum : contraction. Avelut (mourning) : the mourner's path -- Hesped (eulogy) and truthtelling : mourning as a process -- Mekom Hanekhama : finding a place of comfort -- B'tzelim Elohim (in God's image) : before covering the mirror -- The Shekhinah (God's presence) at the bedside : remembering the illness and the death -- Aninut (from death to burial) : suspended between two worlds -- Shiva (first seven days of mourning) : a community embrace -- pt. 2. Shevirat Kelim : the breaking of vessels. Keriah and deep feelings : rending the garment to expose the heart -- Keriah and Kaddish (the mourner's prayer) : keeping the conversation going to heal the hurt -- Keriah and prayer : speaking out from the distress of your soul -- pt. 3. Tikkun : healing. Immortality in Olam Hazeh : living on in the world of the living -- Olam Haneshamot : immortality in the next world : a walk through the world of souls -- Matzevah (monument or tombstone) : the unveiling : raising the curtain on the rest of your life -- Yizkor (memorial prayer), Yahrzeit (anniversary of the death), and the cycle of seasons -- Shalom : hello, goodbye, and peace.