What symbols, rituals, words and actions are used in Judaism for this rite of passage?
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Judaism originally comes from the Latin word Iudaismus, or the Greek word ουδαϊσμός. The religion consists of people called "Jews".
These are some vocabulary words that you should know before reading the following information:
Kavod Ha-Met- Honoring the Dead
Taharah- PurificationTachrichim- To dress the body in a plain linen shroud
Avel- mourner (People who has lost the loved one)
Shemirah- The watching over of the body
Aninut- Period of time between death and burial
Kaddish- A prayer recited in memory of the dead at the gravesite
Although the Magen David/Star of David/Shield of David, is not a symbol of death but is one of the most famous symbols for Judaism. It is thought to bring good luck. (The image on the left, above)
These are some vocabulary words that you should know before reading the following information:
Kavod Ha-Met- Honoring the Dead
Taharah- PurificationTachrichim- To dress the body in a plain linen shroud
Avel- mourner (People who has lost the loved one)
Shemirah- The watching over of the body
Aninut- Period of time between death and burial
Kaddish- A prayer recited in memory of the dead at the gravesite
Although the Magen David/Star of David/Shield of David, is not a symbol of death but is one of the most famous symbols for Judaism. It is thought to bring good luck. (The image on the left, above)
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In Judaism, life is valued very precious and special. The Talmud (a central text of Rabbinic Judaism) notes that all people are related to each other, as they are all born/descended from a single person. This means that to them, killing someone and taking their life away is like destroying an entire world, and saving a life can note to saving the whole world.
Jews believe that death is a natural process and that they cannot do anything to stop it, as it is all God's plan. Even when death happens early in life, or through unfortunate events, they do not hold it with them and let it go; the deep sorrow is passed by mourning practices. This is when they wear black clothes and express their emotions for someone who has died. Although they have mourning practices, they do not do this to show hate and fear for death, but to comfort the living (nihum avelim), who has experienced the loss and to show respect for the dead (kavod ha-met).
Jews believe that death is a natural process and that they cannot do anything to stop it, as it is all God's plan. Even when death happens early in life, or through unfortunate events, they do not hold it with them and let it go; the deep sorrow is passed by mourning practices. This is when they wear black clothes and express their emotions for someone who has died. Although they have mourning practices, they do not do this to show hate and fear for death, but to comfort the living (nihum avelim), who has experienced the loss and to show respect for the dead (kavod ha-met).
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After someone has passed away, the eyes of the person are closed and the body is laid on the floor to be covered. Then candles are lit next to the body to show that light is pure, and that it gets rid of the darkness. Until after the burial, the body should never be left alone, to show a sign of respect. The people that sit with the dead body to show that they respect them are called Shemirah, meaning "guards" or "keepers". Eating, drinking, or performing mitzvot is not allowed near the body, as this would mean that you are disrespecting the fact that the dead cannot do these things anymore.
It is a tradition to wash the body in preparation for the burial, which is done by a specially trained group of people. This process is called Taharah, meaning purification. Once the body is washed, it is then dressed in a plain linen shroud. This process is called the Tachrichim.
The body of the dead must be buried within 48 hours once the person has died. The funeral can take place in a synagogue, chapel or graveside. Everyone that has come to the funeral must wear a black ribbon to symbolize that they are grieving over the death of someone. Afterwards, the mourners are allowed to tear the ribbon, as it shows the person breaking/ripping away from the other loved ones.
Men and women attending the funeral have a certain dress code that they are required to follow. The men are required to wear a jacket and tie with a head covering, called a yarmulke. The women have to wear dresses or skirts of appropriate colours (e.g. black) and also have to wear a head covering, like the men. There are no short sleeves, short skirts/shorts or open-toed shoes allowed during the funeral as it shows disrespect.
Instead of giving flowers to the dead, it is better if you make a donation to a charity or a Jewish organization, due to the fact that it is a custom to not bring flowers.
During the funeral service, the rabbi (a Jewish scholar or teacher) reads the eulogy, which is "a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly, typically someone who has just died". Then ten Jewish adults are required to recite prayers from the Torah. This usually doesn't involve women, and traditionally only by men.
It is a tradition to wash the body in preparation for the burial, which is done by a specially trained group of people. This process is called Taharah, meaning purification. Once the body is washed, it is then dressed in a plain linen shroud. This process is called the Tachrichim.
The body of the dead must be buried within 48 hours once the person has died. The funeral can take place in a synagogue, chapel or graveside. Everyone that has come to the funeral must wear a black ribbon to symbolize that they are grieving over the death of someone. Afterwards, the mourners are allowed to tear the ribbon, as it shows the person breaking/ripping away from the other loved ones.
Men and women attending the funeral have a certain dress code that they are required to follow. The men are required to wear a jacket and tie with a head covering, called a yarmulke. The women have to wear dresses or skirts of appropriate colours (e.g. black) and also have to wear a head covering, like the men. There are no short sleeves, short skirts/shorts or open-toed shoes allowed during the funeral as it shows disrespect.
Instead of giving flowers to the dead, it is better if you make a donation to a charity or a Jewish organization, due to the fact that it is a custom to not bring flowers.
During the funeral service, the rabbi (a Jewish scholar or teacher) reads the eulogy, which is "a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly, typically someone who has just died". Then ten Jewish adults are required to recite prayers from the Torah. This usually doesn't involve women, and traditionally only by men.
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/9/13592680/4816449.png?205)
After the funeral service has finished, the people are able to shovel dirt on top of the coffin, symbolizing that they have accepted the death. Then the Kaddish is recited at the spot, all in memory of the dead. When they leave after this service, they walk out in two separate lines.
Jews used to bury their dead without using a coffin or any other material in the ancient times because it was a way to symbolize the returning to the Earth and dust. These days, many people still bury the dead directly in the ground but some countries require a coffin when burying a body.
The Jewish law requires a tombstone to be ready for the dead, as they should not be forgotten over time. On the tombstones, Hebrew text is written, and it looks similar to what you might see on a tombstone in English. It might also be possible for you to find Jewish symbols on a tombstone, such as a menorah or a torah scroll.
The world "Shiva" which means seven, is the mourning period after a person dies for family members. It traditionally was supposed to last seven days (a week) but these days some Jews do this service for 3 days, or only 1 day.
and it takes place immediately after the burial. The family members all gather in one home and receive visitors.
Jews used to bury their dead without using a coffin or any other material in the ancient times because it was a way to symbolize the returning to the Earth and dust. These days, many people still bury the dead directly in the ground but some countries require a coffin when burying a body.
The Jewish law requires a tombstone to be ready for the dead, as they should not be forgotten over time. On the tombstones, Hebrew text is written, and it looks similar to what you might see on a tombstone in English. It might also be possible for you to find Jewish symbols on a tombstone, such as a menorah or a torah scroll.
The world "Shiva" which means seven, is the mourning period after a person dies for family members. It traditionally was supposed to last seven days (a week) but these days some Jews do this service for 3 days, or only 1 day.
and it takes place immediately after the burial. The family members all gather in one home and receive visitors.