Saying Kaddish: How to Comfort the Dying, Bury the Dead, and Mourn as a Jew

by Anita Diamant

Book Overview

From beloved New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist--the definitive guide to Judaism's end-of-life rituals, revised and updated for Jews of all backgrounds and beliefs.

From caring for the dying to honoring the dead, Anita Diamant explains the Jewish practices that make mourning a loved one an opportunity to experience the full range of emotions--grief, anger, fear, guilt, relief--and take comfort in...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805210881
• ISBN13: 9780805210880
• Release Date: July 1999
• Publisher: Schocken Books Inc
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Recommended

This book has been a great comfort. It's written in really accessible language. While the case could be made that there are other more "authentic" treaments of the subject, Diamant's way with words eases the sting of a difficult subject: end of life issues.

spiritual guidance

This is a wonderful book. It provides full information on Jewish death and mourning laws and customs, but also talks more about the spiritual connotations of these practices. It is a wonderful companion to Lamm's more detailed book. Unlike Lamm, she talks about the full gamut of observances from orthodox to reform for each stage of the mourning process. She provides not only liturgy but meaningful poems and discusses how people have used some of these readings for personal rituals. Her writing is excellent and you feel like she is a loving friend guiding you through the difficult emotions of death and mourning. She anticipated many of the emotions and stages I encountered in my recent mourning. It is not depressing but hopeful, bringing you connection to the community of other Jews who have had losses. Actually, even if you are not Jewish I think it could be a helpful guide to the stages of dying and mourning and help anyone work through the death of a loved one.

So Helpful!

I keep a copy of the this book on reserve and have passed them on to others who suddenly find them having to Say Kaddish. The information helps make a difficult experience more complete and understood. Unfortunately, this year I needed a copy of this book a week after my daughter's wedding, when my sister passed away. I quickly borrowed my girlfriend's to bring to my niece's home. I then had to purchase my friend a new one. I can also recommend Ms. Diamont's book The New Jewish Wedding Book!

Easy to read and helpful during a tough time.

Anita is an excellent writer and relates Jewish custom in an understanding way, always acknowledging that different types of Jews chose to celebrate/mourn differently. She is never condescending and does not Judge. This is extremely informative and I would highly recommend it to anyone. I personally have been comforted by the book as it has explained my role during the death of a loved one.

Comfort for Jews of all types

This is a wonderful book written from a generally liberal point of view. It explains the traditions surrounding Jewish death and mourning and gently encourages the reader to follow them, without being judgmental of those who choose other paths. As I await my mother's death, I am learning many things about my faith... and as the author points out, expanding one's knowledge of Judaism is a mitzvah for the mourner.