Summary:
Deborah Lipstadt's story, "The Lord Was His", demonstrates how religious belief through rituals and social structures can be strengthened. Deborah Lipstadt's belief in Judaism was affirmed through the comforting guidance the religious tradition had to offer.
How does/can a significant life experience (such as death) affect/change one's beliefs?
Death is a topic that is avoided and seldom spoken about due to the distress and grief it transmits and also because of its intensity and ambiguity. Subsequently this may lead to a questioning of belief. A questioning of faith occurs due to the paradox of the existence of a just and merciful God and the occurrence of death. Adherent's beliefs may be strengthened or weakened.
Judaism is a life affirming tradition, which concedes that death is a natural unavoidable occurrence. As Earl Grollman explains "no form of human existence can escape the democracy of death." The beliefs of the Jewish tradition are expressed through the rituals which guide adherents in their grief. Deborah Lipstadt, a Jewish American contemporary history professor explains in her story, "The Lord War His" how she grew in faith through her father's death. The Jewish traditions beliefs and rituals with respect to death and mourning were critical functions in her personal and spiritual odyssey "gently [guiding] her through this cataclysmic period." The tradition provided Deborah with 'framework for mourning, permitting grief, and placing the ultimate emphasis on the cyclical nature of life." Deborah tells the story of her ill father and the process her family underwent in burying and mourning for her father.
Lipstadt writes that she had never been a very observant Jew. She does however indicate that her father had been 'a strictly observant Jew' who loved the tradition. While in hospital, Deborah overheard Mr Lipstadt and a rabbi discussing the inheritance Deborah and her siblings would receive. He explained that he was not a wealthy man but what he would leave them they had already been given. Mr Lipstadt had given his children a "Love of learning, love of tradition and respect for one's fellowman and woman..."
Mr Lipstadt worked for the Chevra Kaddisha (holy society), an important social structure within the tradition that arranges the funeral and is responsible for the preparation of the body. While growing up Deborah was surrounded by the idea of death. Although she was used to the idea of other people dying, it still came as a shock to her when it was her own father that died. Aside from this fact, her familiarity with the beliefs in death helped her through the tough period. The Chevra Kaddisha performs the mitzvah of Tahara (cleansing the body in a spiritual way) and levishah (enwrapping it in linen shreds-tachrichin) accompanying it to its final resting place. This ritual expresses the Jewish belief in Kavod Hamet (respecting the body). Judaism places emphasis on the body being treated reverently after its death. This is because man is created Betzelem Elokim (in the image of God) highlighting mans sanctity. One must not disrespect a kli Hashem (vessel of God).
Lipstadt immediately turned to the Rabbis after the death of her father who guided her through the laws and customs of mourning. She recited psalms- sacred texts closely associated with the customs surrounding mourning in the Jewish tradition, which offered support and strength.
Friends and family of the deceased undertake the act of the carrying of the casket and lowering it into the grave. These people then work to fill the grave, which brings about a clarity and finality that is otherwise not accomplished. Deborah rationalises the death as a natural way of life, an ordinary part of the life cycle and "accepts that which was happening as God's just and merciful decree." Judaism believes that death is a result of tzidduk hadin (the righteous judgment of God). As Job explains in 1:21 "The Lord has given and the Lord has taken, blessed be the name of the Lord." The Kaddish, a prayer recited at the funeral and then continuously for 11 months when mourning for the dead does not mention death but praises God. A Jew thus accepts that which has happened, as God's just and merciful decree. Deborah affirms this belief.
The sacred text Exodus 12:7 states "The dust returneth to the dust as it was but the spirit returneth unto God who gave it." This highlights the Jewish belief that the body must return to its source the earth, as does the soul to God. This comforted Lipstadt for she no longer saw her father as a body buried under the earth in the cemetery but as a soul that was back with God. The belief in an Olam Habah (after life) is central to Judaism. The afterlife is seen as a period where man is one with God, an idea which is comforting to Deborah as this is not the end, only a new beginning. After the reciting of prayers the immediate family performs keriah (the tearing of clothes), which symbolises relief and the outward expression of ones anger at the loss of a loved one. This ritual allows one to express their understandable physical and emotional frustration at death.
During the week following her father's death, friends from the local day school would arrive in small groups at the house and talk of stories linked to Mr. Lipstadt, which "eased the pain and brought a measure of comfort." The Rabbi's brought this same comfort by choosing to eulogize in the form of reminiscent farcical and heart warming stories of Mr Lipstadt life.
Mr Lipstadt had previously decided that he would like the Adon Olam prayer recited at his funeral, a prayer which is generally recited on the conclusion of the Sabbath. Deborah thought this a strange request but later understood as the words read "the Lord is mine, I shall not fear." This highlights Mr Lipstadt's courage and understanding of death as well as the advice that Deborah recognizes as "if he was not afraid of facing death then how could the survivors be afraid" which he intended to guide his children through the difficult period.
Deborah Lipstadt's story, "The Lord Was His", demonstrates how religious belief through rituals and social structures can be strengthened. Deborah's belief in Judaism was affirmed through the comforting guidance the religious tradition had to offer. Judaism offers reassurance, structure and precise time periods for specific mourning to people in time of struggle and vulnerability. Through the rituals and customs associated with death and mourning, Lipstadt was able to find peace and meaning within the framework, as her beliefs were ultimately confirmed.
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