Jewish customs fascinate me, so I was pleased to stumble across this article about sitting shiva. From Aish.com: Meatloaf for Mourners.
We had been going to Kesser Israel for about six months when Leslie’s father died. Not knowing what to do for her, I called and asked. "Do you guys need anything? Dinner or…"
Her husband saved me, "No, thanks, we’re fine."
I was off the hook, that is, until I heard that people were visiting Leslie while she sat shiva, the seven days of Jewish mourning. Cold as it may sound, I was not in the habit of doing things for people I wasn’t close to. I was a good friend to my friends, and I did volunteer work for strangers, but this in-between status threw me. I forced myself to visit her, unsure of what I should do or say.
As I approached Leslie’s door, I saw [continue]
I was touched by the article. It was more than just a recitation of the customs of sitting shiva; it was a communication of feelings and ideals and attitudes of a people as well. The author did a beautiful job of getting them across without didactic pomposity.
This article made me feel good about being human. Thanks.