Consolation: The Spiritual Journey Beyond Grief

by Maurice Lamm

In this, his sequel to the best-selling The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning (over 350,000 copies sold), Rabbi Lamm helps mourners not just get through their grief, but also grow through it. He gently steers mourners on the path that allows their sorrow to teach them important lessons about life. And he shows consolers how to listen and speak with their hearts so that they can provide real comfort to others. His marvelous insights on the days of shiva, the year of kaddish, and the lovingkindness of others reveal the richness and true purpose of Jewish mourning rituals and customs. They prepare us to receive consolation and ready us for the journey that will take us beyond grief. His “Words for a Loss When at a Loss for Words” is a treasury of readings for finding and giving comfort by transforming the spiritual ideas of an ancient faith into contemporary language. Here there are stories and fables that illuminate our complicated lives, meditations from the depths of human experience, and a gallery of unforgettable images that speak to our souls during times of loss.

360 pages, Paperback

First published February 17, 2004

Reviews

[Helga Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this immensely helpful book during this time of loss. I needed something to read that helped me spiritually and is helping me in my transition of grief and grief recovery. Rabbi Lamm helps mourners to get through our grief and grow in strength through it. He has superb insights on the days of shiva, the year of kaddish, and the loving kindness of others that reveals the true purpose of Jewish mourning. His themes are optimistic. Despair “teaches us about our inner strength”; encourages us to ask “le’mah” (for what) rather than “lamah” (why) and ends from Psalms, “They that sow in tears shall reap with songs of joy.”

This book is a wise and helpful guide which has cross-over appeal, not just Jewish readers and is highly recommended reading during a time of loss.