The Talmudic Roots of Jewish Mourning Practices

What are the traditional Jewish mourning practices? Where do they come from and how have they developed? What can they mean to us today?

Anyone interested in learning more about Jewish mourning rituals and their origins is welcome to join Rabbi Aron for this two week class.

Course description:
Gain a better understanding of the source of many of the mourning customs that remain a part of Jewish life today by studying a section of the Talmud that deals with Jewish mourning rituals. Among the topics we will cover are:
* the function and meaning of the rituals that Jews have adopted around death
* a broader consideration of Jewish views of the afterlife and the function of memorials
* the relevance and value of the ancient limitations on work, activity, and participation in communal events to us today
* different ways that we can find to create space for mourning in contemporary life

Related reading: A Time to Mourn, A Time To Comfort by Ron Wolfson, The Jewish Mourner’s Book of Why by Alfred Kolatch, The Death of Death by Neil Gilman, What Happens After I Die by Rifat Sonsino and Daniel Syme.

Rabbi Aron enjoys teaching Talmud to adults and encourages individuals to find personal meaning in our material.

Free and open to all.

Reservations are encouraged so that we can have adequate materials prepared. Contact patty@shirhadash.org, or (408) 358-1751 ext 7.