Bereavement in Judaism

Bereavement in Judaism () is a combination of minhag (traditions) and mitzvah (commandments) derived from the Torah and Judaism's classical rabbinic texts. The details of observance and practice vary according to each Jewish community. In Judaism, the principal mourners are the first-degree relatives: parent, child, sibling, and spouse. There are some customs that are specific to an individual mourning a parent. Religious laws concerning mourning do not apply to those under thirteen years of age, nor do they apply when the deceased is aged 30 days or less. Upon receiving the news of the death, the following blessing is recited: ברוך אתה יה אלוהינו מלך העולם, דיין האמת Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha'olam, dayan ha-emet. ("Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the universe, the True Judge.") In the Tanakh (Jewish Bible) the custom was to tear one's clothes at the moment one heard news of a death. The modern practice is for the close relatives who are the principal mourners to tear their clothing at the funeral. Avel (plural Avelim) – mourner(s). Avelut – mourning (there are different levels, based on who & timing): Aninut – generally the day when the news is heard; before burial. A mourner in this period is known as an onen. Shiva – seven days, from the Hebrew word for seven. Begins day of burial. Shloshim – 30 days, starting from the day of burial. Twelve Months – 12 months, for a parent. Yud Bais (Yiddish), or Yud Bet (Hebrew), means 12. Chodesh means month. Ḥevra qaddisha – burial society. Hesped – Eulogy. Qaddish – said by a mourner (or by someone else, on behalf of ...) Qeriah – tearing. Timing varies by custom. At times deferred to funeral chapel or at the cemetery. Qvura – burial. Levaya – The funeral service. The word means escort(ing). L'Illui Nishmat – Hebrew for Elevation of the soul, sometimes abbreviated LI"N. Matzevah – means monument or tombstone. See Unveiling of the tombstone Petira – passing Shemira – watching or guarding of the body until burial, to ensure it is not left unaccompanied Tahara – purification (by water) of the body Yahrtzeit – is Yiddish for anniversary of the (Hebrew/Jewish) date of passing.

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