A healthy guide to sitting shiva: Navigating death and loss in these unprecedented times

Clinical psychologist Dr. Batya L. Ludman offers a compassionate guide to sitting shiva, the Jewish seven-day mourning period, set against the backdrop of unprecedented loss since October 7, 2023. The article explains shiva customs, the roles of mourners and visitors, and the emotional and practical aspects of this tradition, emphasizing flexibility and individual grieving processes. It covers daily prayer services, community support, and the gradual return to normal life, providing a reflective feature rather than breaking news.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Batya L. Ludman writes a guide to sitting shiva, the Jewish seven-day mourning period, framed against the backdrop of unprecedented loss since Oct. 7, 2023. The article explains that shiva offers a structured, dedicated time for mourners to grieve a close loved one—parent, child, sibling, or spouse—and receive visitors, except on Shabbat. Ludman describes the discomfort on both sides of a shiva visit, noting that visitors often find the experience meaningful. She emphasizes that shiva customs are flexible and that each loss and grieving process is individual. The piece covers daily prayer services, the role of community support, and the gradual return to normal life after shiva ends. It is a reflective feature rather than breaking news, offering general advice on navigating loss.