To Walk in God's Ways: Jewish Pastoral Perspectives on Illness and Bereavement

Front Cover
Rowman & Littlefield, 2004 - 214 pages
Now more than ever, people are turning to their rabbis and communities to seek the consolation they need in times of mourning and bereavement. As such, the field of pastoral care is becoming increasingly important to clergy of all faiths. To Walk in God's Ways: Jewish Pastoral Perspectives on Illness and Bereavement illustrates how the structure and themes of Jewish tradition, using cognitive empathy, allow both the community and rabbi to help the patient and mourner alleviate his or her suffering.

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Contents

The Basis for a Jewish Pastoral Theology
3
Introduction to Pastoral Care and Theology from NonJewish SourcesHistory
7
Overview and Background Issues in Pastoral Care
8
Roots for Visiting the Sick
15
A Psalm for Bikur Holim
17
Bikur Holim from Rabbinic Sources
21
Practical Aspects of Talmudic Bikur Holim
24
Physical Needs of Patient
25
Rabbinic Roles in Dealing with the Religious Level of the Patient
62
Bikur Holim Committees
64
A Case History
66
AninutThe Initial Stage of Grief
69
Roots of the Term Representing Grief Symptoms
70
Rabbinic Sources and Themes
71
Theological Issues
74
Rabbinic Roles during Aninut
76

When to Visit
27
WhereHow to Sit during a Visit
28
Limits on Whom to Visit
29
Specific Issues in Bikur Holim
31
MaleFemale Visits
32
Visiting NonJews
33
Other Issues for the Visitor
34
Humor
35
Language and Nuance
36
Bad News
38
Liturgical Issues
41
Rabbinic Sources and Applications
42
The Traditional Prayer for the Sick The MiSheberakh
45
Other Liturgies and Illness
48
Changing the Name
49
Kavanot for the Mitzvah
50
Preliminary Thoughts toward a Jewish Pastoral Theology
53
The Rabbi as Pastoral Manager
55
The Rabbis Role as Teacher
56
The Rabbi as Member of the Extended Family
58
The Rabbi as Doctor of the Soul
59
The Rabbi as Representing the Community
61
KeriahThe Tearing of the Garment
81
Rabbinic Roles during Keriah
86
The Funeral Service
91
Before the Service
92
Roles of the Rabbi and Community in the Service
95
The Burial
96
Special IssuesA Case of Cremation
99
Liturgy of the Burial
101
Postfuneral Observances
107
Guidelines for Shivah Observance
110
Rabbinic Roles during Shivah
113
Postshivah Observances
114
After the Completed Mourning Period
116
ConclusionSome Reflections on a Jewish Pastoral Theology
121
The Laws of Bikur Holim
129
Resources
131
Notes
133
Glossary
195
Bibliography
199
Index
205
Copyright

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About the author (2004)

Joseph S. Ozarowski studied at Yeshivat Sha'alavim in Israel and received his rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Theological College, Skokie, Illinois, and his doctorate from Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He currently serves as rabbi of the Elmont Jewish Center, Elmont, New York.

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