(א) מִצְוָה גְּדוֹלָה לְהַסְפִּיד עַל הַמֵּת כָּרָאוּי. וּמִצְוָתוֹ שֶׁיָּרִים קוֹלוֹ לוֹמַר עָלָיו דְּבָרִים הַמְּשַׁבְּרִים אֶת הַלֵּב, כְּדֵי לְהַרְבּוֹת בְּכִיָּה וּלְהַזְכִּיר שִׁבְחוֹ. וְאָסוּר לְהַפְלִיג בְּשִׁבְחוֹ יוֹתֵר מִדַּאי, אֶלָּא מַזְכִּירִין מִדּוֹת טוֹבוֹת שֶׁבּוֹ, וּמוֹסִיפִין בָּהֶם קְצָת, רַק שֶׁלֹּא יַפְלִיג. וְאִם לֹא הָיוּ בּוֹ מִדּוֹת טוֹבוֹת כְּלָל, לֹא יַזְכִּיר עָלָיו. וְחָכָם וְחָסִיד, מַזְכִּירִים לָהֶם חָכְמָתָם וַחֲסִידוּתָם. וְכָל הַמַּזְכִּיר עַל מִי שֶׁלֹּא הָיָה בּוֹ כְּלָל, אוֹ שֶׁמּוֹסִיף לְהַפְלִיג יוֹתֵר מִדַּאי עַל מַה שֶּׁהָיָה בּוֹ, גּוֹרֵם רָעָה לְעַצְמוֹ וְלַמֵּת.
-
This idea is inspired by my 12th great grandfather who wrote the Shulchan Aruch, which was the codification of all of the Jewish laws into a simple orderly process of what to do when waking up in the morning (like a lion), to going to sleep at night (and everything in between). We can take this balance of simplicity with the complexity of Jewishness to find a pathway. Halacha, comes from holech, to walk, a path, and within that framework there is so much beauty that can be found.
-
(1) It is an important religious duty to lament the dead fittingly;1Shab. 105b. and the religious duty [is fulfilled] when one raises his voice [in funereal lamentations] to utter over him [the dead] words which break the heart in order to cause much weeping, and to mention his praise.2Ber. 6b and Rashi ibid. s.v. דלויי; Y.M.K. III, 5(82d): ‘If one sheds tears for a worthy person, the Holy One, blessed be He, counts them and places them in His treasure house.’ Shab. ibid.: ‘He who is slothful to lament a Sage deserves to be buried alive … and will not prolong his days.’ It is forbidden to over-praise him too much, save to mention his good characteristic features [to which] a little may be added,3The reason for the additional praise may be explained as follows: In the performance of a religious duty, e.g., if one dispensed charity, we assume that had a little more been required of him he would have given the additional amount too. Hence, we may add a little to his praise — TaZ. Or, since it is very difficult to give an exact and precise evaluation of one’s deeds in words, consequently, it is better to add a little more praise in speaking of one’s characteristic features — A.H. provided one does not overexaggerate. And if he possessed no good characteristic features whatever, one should not mention [this] regarding him. [With respect to] a Sage and a pious man one may mention their wisdom and piety [respectively].4Sem(H). III, 6; Y.Naz. VII, 1(56a); Shab. 153a; Meg. 28b; M.K. 28b; San. 11a. And one who mentions [aught] regarding one who did not possess [it] at all, or exaggerates too much that which he did possess, causes harm to himself5Ber. 62a. and to the dead.6Asheri, M.K. c. The same applies to inscriptions on tombstones — Ḥ.Adam.
-
Loading Media...