The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning (Revised and Expanded Edition) [Hardcover]

Maurice Lamm (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2000

For over thirty years Jews have turned to Rabbi Maurice Lamm's classic work for direction and consolation. Selected by The New York Times as one of the ten best religious books of the year when it was first published in 1969, The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning leads the family and friends of the deceased through the most difficult chapter of life-from the moment of death through the funeral service, the burial, and the various periods of mourning.

Now, in this thoroughly revised and expanded edition, Rabbi Lamm explores a wide range of new issues and questions that Jews of the twenty-first century must address. Special consideration is given to the subjects of organ donation, autopsy, the question of a woman's right to say Kaddish, mourning practices as they relate to the stillborn, the permissibility of converts to Judaism to mourn their Gentile parents, and the bereavement rights of individuals who by Jewish law are not required to mourn but who nonetheless wish to express their grief in accordance with Jewish tradition.

In addition to exploring the sensitive issues that the contemporary mourner must confront, The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning is remarkable in that it gently leads the mourner through the corridors of Jewish law and teaches the aching heart how to express its pain in love and respect so that it might begin on the road to eventual healing.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a recognized classic that is as relevant today as it was when it was first published thirty years ago..." -- Malcolm Hoenlein,

"...will be read with wide interest and provide a gateway to an important rubric of Jewish thought and philosophy." -- Lord Immanuel

About the Author

Rabbi Maurice Lamm is the author of five major books, President of the National Institute for Jewish Hospice, and Professor at RIETS at Yeshiva University's Rabbinical Seminary in New York, where he holds the Chair in Professional Rabbinics. He was the rabbi of one of the largest Orthodox synagogues in the United States, Beth Jacob of Beverly Hills.

Rabbi Lamm's newest publications are The Power of Hope and a CD-ROM entitled Love and Marriage. He is most popularly known for his The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning, first issued in 1969 and considered one of the best Jewish books of the year by The New York Times. Rabbi Lamm has also authored The Jewish Way in Love and Marriage, Becoming a Jew, and Living Torah in America.

Maurice Lamm was awarded an honorary doctorate by Yeshiva University, from which he holds a B. A., M. A., and rabbinic ordination. He has served on the faculty of Stern College for Women, was field director of Military Chaplains, and traveled for the U. S. Department of Defense with the civilian equivalent of Major General. His chaplaincy duties took him around the world. One of his most important contributions has been the creation of the National Institute for Jewish Hospice.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Jonathan David Co., Inc; Revised edition (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824604237
• ISBN-13: 978-0824604233
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #214,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Eastern Religions > Jainism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, fascinating and profound, very easy to read, June 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning (Paperback)

I checked this book out from the library to use it as a resource for a religion class. I couldn't stop reading it. Having just lost my grandmother and participated at her funeral sevice, I was very interested in learning about Jewish funeral customs. This book was just the ticket. It is very well written, easy to read (it is broken down into many subsections) and understand (even for the non-Jew), fascinating (if you are not familiar with the Jewish customs), and the section entitled "What is Death?" is extremey profound. I loved his style and his use of words. I plan to purchase it to keep in my library. (It helped me get an A on the report and in the class!)

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, comprehensive on the part of subject dealt with., March 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning (Paperback)

The book is very comprehensive on the specific part of the subject discussed: American, Ashkenazi laws and customs. However, it doesn't deal with the laws and customs elsewhere (e.g., Israel) and ignores Sephardi Jewish customs. Highly recommended if you only want to know about the Ashkenazi Jewish laws and customs in North America.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable (unfortunately), July 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning (Paperback)

I turned to this book when my father died. I found it to be a comprehensive and indispensable guide. I still take it with me whenever I visit the cemetary so that I can use its text for graveside prayers.