Since my Mother's death three months ago I am feeling sad and depressed. The advice-giving sites say do not repress your sadness and feelings, go give free rein to your melancholy, appoint a day of sadness, dedicated to crying and memories. Ceremonies to symbolize and express one's sadness are proposed.
If I am going to do something like that, I shall follow the ways of my Fathers, of the traditional Jewish rites of saying kaddish for the dead.
May His great name be exalted and sanctified
Yitgaddal veyitqaddash shmeh rabba
You may find me next Friday evening at Kever Benjamin's Grand Synagogue.
4 comments:
Yes, such rituals can be healing. Not to burst your bubble though, but after my father passed away, I said kaddish every morning for a little while. One day, still during the shiva period, the rabbi asked to see me afterward. Maybe he would offer special words that would comfort me? No, the synagogue was building something and would I be interested in making a donation in my father's memory? I realized then that the ecological niche of the clergy, the way they make their living, is to prey on the weak and vulnerable.
He who makes peace in his high holy places, may he bring peace upon us, and upon all Israel; and say Amen.
K
K, please allow me disagree! Giving alms and donations is THE Jewish way of mourning the dead. Just as we rend our shirt to express our loss, we should fast and donate to our needy. It is part of the healing process. The Rabbi was offering you a traditional and safe way to express your mourning. People who lack this "normal" way give their money to charlatans, build pyramids or donate to save the whales.
PD Thanks for the prayer.
In defense of Pharaoh and the ecopagans, they are acting out what their respective religions have taught them since they were little. For those people I just mentioned they would not know of any other way to handle their grief.
Having said that I am usually inclined to agree with K's jaundiced view of clergy, although I do make exceptions.
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