PRACTICES
MOURNING THE DEAD
Outline a way a dead person is prepared for a Jewish funeral (2)
the eyes of the deceased must be closed, if not already. Some believe that a person
The body will be covered.
The body is put on the ground
Candles are lit and places at the head, recognising Proverbs 6:23: “For the
commandment is a lamp and the law a light.”
The body is washed and dressed in white clothes
The tzitzit are cut off the tallit
Give two features of a Jewish funeral (2)
Those attending help fill the grave- a shovel is used.
The casket is buried with the head facing the east- the body will resurrect facing the
Holy Land.
Members of the congregation wash their hands at the end of the service
Name two things that will happen during the Jewish mourning period of Shiva (2)
often known as ‘sitting Shiv’ah’ because of the practice of sitting on a low stool.
not working- The prohibitions of Aninut remain in place, plus they may not greet
people, study the Torah or sit in chairs.
All the mirrors in the house are covered
Name two stages of the Jewish period of mourning (2)
Shiv’ah (7 days)
Sheloshim (30 days)
Explain two processes of prepairing a dead person for burial in Judaism (4/5)
Kadishah (Holy Society) will work with the funeral parlour to wash the body, dress it
in white linen shrouds showing all are equal in death. The work of Hevrah Kadishah
can be said to represent the last link in a chain of care and concern for the dead.
For male deceased, they are wrapped in their tallit, less one of its tzitzit, so that it is
not a holy article. It symbolises that they no longer have to fulfil the mitzvot.
Explain two ways in which Jewish practices help and comfort the mourners(4/5)
On returning from the funeral, the first meal must be brought by neighbours and
friends- traditionally includes an egg (new life) and bread (staff of life). Many of the
meals consumed by the bereaved during the next seven days will be brought to
them as gifts of comfort by members of the community, which is part of the love and
care given to mourners.
Aninut: the period between death and the burial- bereaved is excused from any and
all commandments, even reciting Shema- may not wear tefillin, cannot eat/drink at a
festive table, cut their hair, wash their clothes, bathe themselves or have sexual
relations. Allows them to focus entirely on mourning, not having to worry about daily
practices.
, Explain two events that take place after the death of a Jew (4/5)
The eyes of the deceased must be closed, if not already- a person cannot look on to
this life and the life to come at the same time, closing the eyes closes off this life and
allowS them to see the next.
Kari’ah- ritual of making a small tear in clothes. The Orthodox do it straight after
death, others before the funeral procession or at the burial. Mourners’ clothes are
ripped deliberately through the material representing emotional need and sadness.
The person has been ‘ton’ from their lives. This copies scriptural practice
Explain two features of a Jewish funeral (5)
It is a mitzvah to help shovel earth upon the grave. Therefore all members of the
congregation take a shovel and fill the grave with earth - shows service, love and
comfort to the family. Each person puts down on the ground when they have used it,
symbolising that they do not want to pass sorrow to the next person
Before leaving the graveyard everyone washes their hands. This is to show that they
are moving forwards in life without the person who has died, and show acceptance
of God’s decision making. In the Kaddish it states that God is judge and has almighty
power, so washing their hands shows cleansing and trust in God.
Explain two ways in which Jews consider the treatment of the dead to be important (4/5)
The deceased is entitled to almost the same level of respect and dignity as a living
person. Eyes are closed, body is covered and placed on the ground with candles
around its head. eleven months after the burial the bereaved son will recite the
mourners’ Kaddish at synagogue- helps release the dead person from any sins.
Believe the soul only leaves the body during the burial- the soul will be in distress
after death. The corpse will be continually watched until burial to ensure the proper
treatment, sitting with it is a comfort. They will recite Psalms constantly.
Explain two things that will happen during the Jewish mourning period of Shiva (4/5)
Mourners sit on low stools and are excused from work- are physically closer to the
ground, the dead. Do nothing but mourn
Mourners cover their mirrors, wear black clothes (with the keri’ah), can’t wear
makeup, can’t shave or cut their hair. Not focusing on appearance and material
things helps them to dedicate their full attention to the deceased.
Friends and neighbours visit the house. They bring food, offer comfort as they talk
about the person who has died and make up the minyan of at least 10 people,
necessary for certain prayers.
Explain two stages of the mourning period in Judaism (4/5)
Shiv’ah: meaning ‘seven’ is the seven days from closing the grave. Only bereaved
parents, siblings, children or spouses observe this period. They sit on low stools to be
closer to the dead, are excused from work, studying the Torah and mourners recite
the Kaddish at the home of the bereaved.
Sheloshim: 30 days from the death. Normal life resumes, they can now got o work
and bathe. Mourners cant however listen to music or go to parties (leisure activities)
to show respect to the dead.
MOURNING THE DEAD
Outline a way a dead person is prepared for a Jewish funeral (2)
the eyes of the deceased must be closed, if not already. Some believe that a person
The body will be covered.
The body is put on the ground
Candles are lit and places at the head, recognising Proverbs 6:23: “For the
commandment is a lamp and the law a light.”
The body is washed and dressed in white clothes
The tzitzit are cut off the tallit
Give two features of a Jewish funeral (2)
Those attending help fill the grave- a shovel is used.
The casket is buried with the head facing the east- the body will resurrect facing the
Holy Land.
Members of the congregation wash their hands at the end of the service
Name two things that will happen during the Jewish mourning period of Shiva (2)
often known as ‘sitting Shiv’ah’ because of the practice of sitting on a low stool.
not working- The prohibitions of Aninut remain in place, plus they may not greet
people, study the Torah or sit in chairs.
All the mirrors in the house are covered
Name two stages of the Jewish period of mourning (2)
Shiv’ah (7 days)
Sheloshim (30 days)
Explain two processes of prepairing a dead person for burial in Judaism (4/5)
Kadishah (Holy Society) will work with the funeral parlour to wash the body, dress it
in white linen shrouds showing all are equal in death. The work of Hevrah Kadishah
can be said to represent the last link in a chain of care and concern for the dead.
For male deceased, they are wrapped in their tallit, less one of its tzitzit, so that it is
not a holy article. It symbolises that they no longer have to fulfil the mitzvot.
Explain two ways in which Jewish practices help and comfort the mourners(4/5)
On returning from the funeral, the first meal must be brought by neighbours and
friends- traditionally includes an egg (new life) and bread (staff of life). Many of the
meals consumed by the bereaved during the next seven days will be brought to
them as gifts of comfort by members of the community, which is part of the love and
care given to mourners.
Aninut: the period between death and the burial- bereaved is excused from any and
all commandments, even reciting Shema- may not wear tefillin, cannot eat/drink at a
festive table, cut their hair, wash their clothes, bathe themselves or have sexual
relations. Allows them to focus entirely on mourning, not having to worry about daily
practices.
, Explain two events that take place after the death of a Jew (4/5)
The eyes of the deceased must be closed, if not already- a person cannot look on to
this life and the life to come at the same time, closing the eyes closes off this life and
allowS them to see the next.
Kari’ah- ritual of making a small tear in clothes. The Orthodox do it straight after
death, others before the funeral procession or at the burial. Mourners’ clothes are
ripped deliberately through the material representing emotional need and sadness.
The person has been ‘ton’ from their lives. This copies scriptural practice
Explain two features of a Jewish funeral (5)
It is a mitzvah to help shovel earth upon the grave. Therefore all members of the
congregation take a shovel and fill the grave with earth - shows service, love and
comfort to the family. Each person puts down on the ground when they have used it,
symbolising that they do not want to pass sorrow to the next person
Before leaving the graveyard everyone washes their hands. This is to show that they
are moving forwards in life without the person who has died, and show acceptance
of God’s decision making. In the Kaddish it states that God is judge and has almighty
power, so washing their hands shows cleansing and trust in God.
Explain two ways in which Jews consider the treatment of the dead to be important (4/5)
The deceased is entitled to almost the same level of respect and dignity as a living
person. Eyes are closed, body is covered and placed on the ground with candles
around its head. eleven months after the burial the bereaved son will recite the
mourners’ Kaddish at synagogue- helps release the dead person from any sins.
Believe the soul only leaves the body during the burial- the soul will be in distress
after death. The corpse will be continually watched until burial to ensure the proper
treatment, sitting with it is a comfort. They will recite Psalms constantly.
Explain two things that will happen during the Jewish mourning period of Shiva (4/5)
Mourners sit on low stools and are excused from work- are physically closer to the
ground, the dead. Do nothing but mourn
Mourners cover their mirrors, wear black clothes (with the keri’ah), can’t wear
makeup, can’t shave or cut their hair. Not focusing on appearance and material
things helps them to dedicate their full attention to the deceased.
Friends and neighbours visit the house. They bring food, offer comfort as they talk
about the person who has died and make up the minyan of at least 10 people,
necessary for certain prayers.
Explain two stages of the mourning period in Judaism (4/5)
Shiv’ah: meaning ‘seven’ is the seven days from closing the grave. Only bereaved
parents, siblings, children or spouses observe this period. They sit on low stools to be
closer to the dead, are excused from work, studying the Torah and mourners recite
the Kaddish at the home of the bereaved.
Sheloshim: 30 days from the death. Normal life resumes, they can now got o work
and bathe. Mourners cant however listen to music or go to parties (leisure activities)
to show respect to the dead.
