Sitting Shiva

Sitting Shiva

When a loved one dies, it is common for the mourners to immerse themselves in their particular religious traditions. From Buddhism to Christianity to Hinduism, dealing with death and the existence or nonexistence of an afterlife is a fundamental issue that ties people to their faiths. Often the rituals and traditions surrounding death offer insight into other parts of the religion. Blu Greenberg writes in How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household, "No matter what, each one of us will die, and just as there is a way to live as a Jew, there is a way to die and be buried as a Jew." (287) The custom of sitting Shiva is one part of dying and being buried as a Jew.

Judaism considers two basic principles when the laws of death and mourning apply (Kolatch 49). The first consideration is the principle of kevod hamet, which instructs people to treat the deceased with reverence and respect (Kolatch 49). A second principle places concern on the welfare of the living. This principle is called kevod hechai (Kolatch 49). Included in the Jewish laws of burial is a look of disfavor upon embalming and cremation (Kolatch 49). To Jews, blood is regarded as part of the body and should not be removed (Kolatch 52). Cremation is not allowed because of the biblical idea that the body should go back to its original state in the earth (Kolatch 49).

The Jewish funeral and burial is quick, modest, and full of tradition. A simple pine casket is required by Jewish law to relieve the family of the task of choosing a casket style (Greenberg 288). The Cherva Kadisha, who are the sacred burial society, wash the body from head to toe and dress the deceased in a simple white linen shroud (Greenberg 288). If a person was injured,...

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...and, it is part of the perpetual cycle of life and death. Each particular custom related to sitting Shiva has developed out of tradition to help the mourners grieve their loss. Jewish traditions are full of laws, customs, and rituals to help Jews celebrate, marry, live, mourn, and die like a Jew. Shiva is a necessary custom for Jews to focus their energy on their departed loved one, and to remember their relationship with God.

Bibliography:

Greenberg, Blu. How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household. New York: Simon and Schuster,1983.

Kolatch, Alfred J. The Jewish Book of Why. Middle Village, NY: Jonathan David Publisher, Inc., 1981.

Lanter, Helen. The Book of Modern Jewish Etiquette. New York: Schocken Books, 1981.

Robinson, George. Essential Judaism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs, Customs, and Rituals. New York: Pocket Books, 2000.