THE WOMEN

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2011

Mitzvah for Hare's Mom, z"l

THE WOMEN

- Joy Krauthammer

In the noon day sun

four friends fill the new grave 

to the top 

filling all corners, edges, spaces, depth

so the deceased is not left 

uncovered, alone 

in her exposed plain wood coffin

after family and community 

say Kaddish prayer,

add their shovels of rock-filled 

bone-dry heavy earth

and leave cemetery

for mourners’ Meal of Consolation.

Grieving daughter stays behind.

Female friends don't wait

for the grave-digger workmen 

to come later to do their 'job'.

Friends with daughter

do their final mitzvah / good deed

for her beloved mom,

of blessed memory. 

With the long-handled steel shovels

together they give Rose a blanket of love.

Daughter receives the comfort 

given in chesed  / loving-kindness

and knows her beloved mother

Raizel bat Mordechai v’ Baila, z"l,

is cared for

and her soul can soar

to Shamayim / heaven.

May She be Bound in the Bond of Eternal Life.

May Rose's memory be for a blessing.

~ ~ ~

Friend, I hold you in my heart.

May The Compassionate One comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Hamakom y'nachem etkhem b'tokh sh'ar avelei Tziyon v'Yerushalayim.

May your comfort come from heaven.

"Min Ha-Shamayim Te-nuchamu"

Healing is beyond human hands, it is granted from Above.

Daughter Hare, with Joy, Barbara and Marianne

Levaya / Funeral April 15, 2011

8 Nissan, 5771

photo © Nathan


(Standing by the grave until it is completely filled is a minhag / customary final act of honor given to the deceased.)

~ ~ ~