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GOOD MORNING! This week's Torah portion recounts the death and burial of Avraham's wife, Sarah. Death is a very sad part of life. In our tradition, we sit Shiva ("shiva" is the Hebrew word for "seven" referring to the seven days we mourn) for our seven closest relatives: father, mother, brother, sister, spouse, son or daughter. Visiting a Shiva house can be a comfort to the mourners and a meaningful experience to the comforters - if done right. However, visiting a Shiva home can cause a person to be ill at ease if he doesn't understand his role in the mourning process and doesn't know the halacha (Jewish law) governing behavior at a Shiva home.
Mourning is a time to spiritually and psychologically come to terms with one's loss. For seven days the mourner sits on a low chair or cushion, doesn't leave the house, withdraws from the world around him. Why? Now is the time to cry, to remember the good times, to feel the loss. If a person doesn't allow himself - or isn't allowed - to focus on this, the pain remains longer and stronger and hampers the continuation of his own life.
Jewish law prescribes that when one enters the house of a mourner, he should sit silently until spoken to by the mourner - so that he will not intrude upon the mourner. Just being there is comforting. Sometimes there is no need for words. If the mourner engages you in conversation, it is important that the conversation should focus upon the deceased. It is a great kindness to ask questions which concretize memories and feelings: What was his outstanding character trait? What was one incident which encapsulates his life? What was his greatest impact upon you? This focuses the mourner and helps him to both grieve and integrate the impact the deceased had on his life.
People are uncomfortable at the home of a mourner because they are unclear of what function they should serve. That is why people mistakenly try to change the subject and avoid talking about the deceased. What is intended as a kindness ends up as a disservice. Remember that a Shiva house is not a party.
Recently, I visited a Shiva house and picked up a guide sheet of two pages by L. Muschel of "Do's and Don't's." I think they are helpful, though to some they may seem obvious. Here are excerpts and some of my own (which incorporate some of the points mentioned above):
DO'S AT A SHIVA HOME
DON' T 'S AT A SHIVA HOME
If you want to learn more on how to deal with death and help your fellow human being who is grieving, read The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning by Rabbi Maurice Lamm. If you want a book to give the mourner to help him or her, I highly recommend (and give it myself), Remember My Soul by Rabbi Yaakov and Lori Palatnik. Both are available from your local Jewish book store or by calling toll-free 877-758-3242.
Torah Portion of the Week
Chayei Sarah
Sarah dies at the age of 127. Avraham purchases a burial place for her in Hebron in the cave of Ma'arat HaMachpela. Avraham sends his servant, Eliezer, back to the "old country," his birthplace Charan, to find a wife for Yitzhak (Isaac). Eliezer makes what appear to be very strange conditions for the matrimonial candidate to fulfill in order to qualify for Yitzhak. Rivka (Rebecca) unknowingly meets the conditions. Eliezer succeeds in getting familial approval, though they were not too keen about Rivka leaving her native land.
Avraham marries Keturah and fathers six more sons. He sends them east (with the secrets of mysticism) before he dies at 175. Yitzhak and Ishmael bury Avraham near Sarah in the Ma'arat HaMachpela, the cave Avraham purchased in Hebron to bury Sarah. The portion ends with the listing of Ishmael's 12 sons and Ishmael dying at age 137.
Dvar Torah
based on Love Your Neighbor by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
The Torah states:
"And when she (Rivka) had finished giving him (Eliezer) drink, she said, 'I will also draw water for your camels until they will have finished drinking." (Genesis 24:19)
Why did Rivka wait until Eliezer finished drinking to tell him of her intentions to also water the camels?
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch comments that had Rivka announced all of her intentions immediately, she would have been like a conceited gossip who likes to make big talk about her good deeds. It would have been immodest and lacking in the trait so well known to Avraham of say little and do much. When the three strangers appeared to Avraham, he said to them that he would fetch a morsel of bread. However, the Torah tells us that Avraham then brought meat and cakes for his guests.
We should follow the examples of Avraham and Rivkah not to needlessly boast about our plans to do good deeds.
CANDLE LIGHTING - November 21:
(or go to http://www.aish.com/candlelighting)
Jerusalem 4:02
Guatemala 5:11 Hong Kong 5:21 Honolulu 5:29
J'Burg 6:20 London 3:46 Los Angeles 4:27
Melbourne 6:53 Miami 5:12 Moscow 3:58
New York 4:16 Singapore 6:35
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
A friend doubles the joy
and halves the grief.
In Honor of the Wedding |