The Southern Jewish weekly. [volume] (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1939-1992, 1947-12-05
When Bereavement Comes
10 a Jewish Family
BY RABBI DAVID B. ALPERT
Continued from last week.

How soon may go to the cemetery? May I set up
the stone at once. must until the close of the
first Year?"
Within thirty days following the DEATH none of the
family should make special trip to the cemetery,
WISH the grave The stone may be set up any time,
preferably toward the end of the first year. These reg
uations to protect the bereaved and to enable them
TO conserve their powers If they get in the habit of
turning all their thoughts upon the grave and its
occupant they not doing him honor and they are
not facing life We show honor to those love and
mourn by taking up the work which they exemplified
as worthwhile. We must carry Morbid grief and
melancholy deny life.
Every pilgrimage to the graves of loved ones
should bring renewal of strength and determination
These special visits should be more than four or
tive year The pilgrimage to the grave should be
of the moral example. These prayers and genuine
tribute should fill one with healing in his bruised
spirit When one has something very much in mind
that he cannot resolve and feels the need of taking
thought, visit of prayer to the grave of loved
may prove helpful; more, should rely for
composure of spirit in synagogue or temple.
Must my garment be cut sign OF mourning?
Or is the of the ribbon sanctioned by religious
There is no reason to cut the garment The rib
bon will serve adequately. Children mourning par
ent the ribbon the left side. Others, in be-
reavement have the ribbon on the right The ribbon
should not be worn beyond the seventh day following
the death.
What the rules about inscriptions the tomb
stone?" And how does one observe the Yohrzeit?"
Each cemetery has its regulations to which
you must conform. Avoid long and flowery inscrip-
TONS The chief essentials the name (1ebrew and
Engsh) and the date QIebrew and Engsh) The
yelling usually set close to the first anniversary
during the High Holy Day season; otherwise by the
convenience of the family. On the annual yohrzeit,
memorial candle will be lighted at home and at the
synagogue or temple. Members of the family attend
services in the synagogue and say the Kaddish Yohr-
zeit might well be the occasion for family reunion to
read together something that the deceased wrote
loved.
Is there Immortality Will I have my beloved
my own again?"
Your beloved was something than his body
in itself Your beloved is yours in death and in life
fuences of his life The companionShp Of his person
atty and SOUL acting upon yours, have become indls-
tinguishably your very That you have complete
ly and continue to have part OF his living pres
ence without the actual physical presence. I'm
mortality is pledge with life testimony that the
life we knew as worthwhile is still full of meaning to
U.s. We learn much about the purpose and meaning
of life as we take to heart the significance of the life
of the dear departed, upon us.
Discussion about the Immortality of the soul often
runs into obscurties and difficulties when we insist
that the physical identity knew in the flesh shall
continue unchanged and resisting growth. When one
we loved has been gathered to his fathers and has be-
come part of the bundle and stream of ife it is idle to
insist on the continuance of the physical Identity and
characteristics in the form that we know on earth
Life enters new career upon DEATH but life continues.
Immortality remains to reward the good and to bless
and comfort those who cherish the sacred memory 10
affirm immortality is to believe in the values of life,
and to find (even in grief stronger reason for
gratitude.
ehu%.in xvho finds