Shloshim - 7 November 23

7 November marked 30 days since the October massacre of 1,200 Israelis and other nationals in southern Israel and the kidnapping of a further 239 people. 

Reaching the 30-day mark after death is a meaningful moment for Jewish grieving. The secondary period of ritual mourning – following shiva – is lifted for anyone who has lost a family member. This particular shloshim is a national one, not just a personal one. 

 Ceremonies took place throughout Israel  with candles or torches being lit, speeches, performances and the singing of “Hatikva.” Many also had installations set up with 240 empty chairs displaying the names and photos of the children, elderly, and people of all ages being held against international law in Gaza, without any confirmation of their whereabouts and without any access to the Red Cross or any other international humanitarian offices. 

 In Judaism, a recognised period of mourning helps to aid families through the process of grieving. There are several references in the Torah to this thirty-day period of mourning. The children of Israel wept for Aaron and Moses for thirty days. Similarly in Mishna times, Rabbi Judah Hanasi, before he died, gave instructions that the assembly for study should be reconstituted after the lapse of thirty days from the day of his death.'

 During the thirty days (the Shloshim) the change from the sadness of bereavement to normal life gradually takes place.

 The Shloshim period following the tragedy of 7 October, is complicated by the fact that many Israelis are still awaiting news of their loved ones, bodies are still being identified, and the fate of all the hostages is still unknown. Furthermore, the country has lost many soldiers in the past few weeks. The shock, trauma, mourning and grief are still very present. 

 However, as stated in the the Shulchan Aruch, “…the Jew believes that his religion gives him guidance at all times; it upholds him in times of gladness and of sorrow; in moments of exaltation and of deep despair. For every aspect of life Judaism has its counsel. In bereavement, when man’s mind and emotions are so powerfully challenged, Judaism teaches how to give expression to one's sense of loss, how to regain one's composure, one's zest, indeed inspiration for one's own life and that of future generations”.

CHAPTER VIlI, THE PERIOD OF MOURNING, 3 Kitzur Shulchan Aruch,