Questions

You’ll be with your spouse in heaven, but perhaps not in the way that you imagine.

Discover the role of a shomer, safeguarding the dignity of the departed and ensuring they are not abandoned.

How much do you know about Jewish Gravestones? Take this quiz to find out!

I love my dad very much and I want to pay him the proper respect. Am I allowed to travel to the show if I know that I possibly won’t find a minyan there to say kaddish on his yahrtzeit?

A soul is Divine energy, a little piece of G-d within you. Your inner identity, your raison d'être

The Torah assumes this, the Talmud discusses the experiences of several people who made the trip there and back, and classic Jewish works describe the process. You want a real good spacesuit to make this trip

Does Judaism believe in an afterlife? From what I’ve read of the Torah, it seems that there is no mention of life after death.

I am almost embarrassed to say it, but I went to my grandmother's grave and begged her to come to my wedding. Did she hear me?

What's the story with reincarnation? Who is reincarnated, and why?

When someone passes on, it is a tragedy. They have been lost to their family and friends, and there is a feeling of separation and distance that seems beyond repair.

My grandmother recently revealed that she intends to be cremated. This disturbed me, as I know Judaism doesn't allow cremations, but I'm not sure why. What should I tell her?

I noticed at a Jewish funeral that the rabbi called forward family members to fill in the grave with dirt. What is the reason for this?

What should I say to someone who lost a loved one? When is the right time? How does one behave?

How is comparing the loss of a loved one to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans two thousand years ago supposed to make me feel any better?

Many find it intriguing that the Kaddish makes no mention of the deceased. Kaddish speaks of G-d's greatness. What does this have to do with the one for whom I am saying Kaddish?

I just don't know what to say in these situations. What can I say to make him feel better when the fact is that his dad died?

I was wondering what actually happens to babies and people with special needs when they die. Also, what happens to those who don’t yet know right from wrong?

Do Jews believe in Hell? I am not planning any trips there or anything, but I have heard conflicting reports about its existence.

Where do we go? What is heaven and hell? Do we ever get sent back for a second life? Is there any way to make contact with a departed loved one?

I recently attended a tombstone dedication ceremony, and saw that many of the tombstones in one section in the cemetery faced a different direction than the rest.

My son recently died in an accident. I would like to know if he can see or hear us here on earth. Is he still aware of us now that he is in heaven?

For as long as I can remember, whenever we celebrate the yahrtzeit of a family member, we always sponsor a breakfast after morning services—and sometimes we also sponsor a kiddush reception on the Shabbat prior. Why?

Recently, a friend asked if his son could borrow my brother’s apartment until he finds a suitable place to rent. I refused, because I felt that my connection with my brother was still in his apartment among his things, which remain as they were when he passed away. What is your advice, and are there any Jewish customs about these types of things?

This past June, I lost my mother, and now both of my parents are gone. This was the first High Holy Days without either one of them. Although I don’t come from an active religious family, nevertheless I do feel a heavy burden of the heart. What is the best way to cope with no longer having my parents?