Coping With the Death of a Child
Comfort for grieving parents
Talking about one’s feelings to others can be emotionally, and even physically, beneficial. It is well known that those who talk about their problems and communicate their feelings to others are more able to successfully deal with their troubles. For those of us who have lost a child, talking about our feelings of grief is … Continue reading Who Can I Talk To About Child Loss?
Many parents visited the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994) for advice and comfort after losing their child. The Rebbe would respond with patience and empathy, giving words of consolation and encouragement. Here are some of the Rebbe’s insights on the terrible tragedy of child loss. (What follows are not actual quotes, but merely … Continue reading The Rebbe Speaks to Grieving Parents About Child Loss
During the week of shiva for my son Jacob, people were coming to our home saying ‘May G-d comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem’. These are the traditional words of consolation said to Jewish mourners. But I would think ‘Thank G-d they never lost a child. They can only imagine what it … Continue reading I Felt I Was Mourning Alone
What's Wrong With What I Want? Before my son passed away, I would always pray that he would get married and have a family. I prayed that his life would be filled with Torah and mitzvos and that he would pass on the mesorah to his children. His sudden passing left me horribly confused. Why … Continue reading A Chassidic Teaching From the Alter Rebbe Comforted Me
