Pain Medication at the End-of-Life
One of the most frequent questions that Ematai receives relates to the use of pain medications toward the end of life. For many patients dying from a terminal illness, the…
Why Do We Recite Tehilim?
Prayers during a time of illness are a natural religious instinct. In times of distress, when one’s fate or that of a loved one feels particularly uncertain, we turn to…
Organ Donation Registration
It’s important to discuss your preferences regarding posthumous organ donation with your healthcare proxy and loved ones. As with all end-of-life care decision making, it is extremely difficult for your…
Elder Abuse
Every older adult is entitled to respect and dignity. Unfortunately, some are deprived of their basic safety and security. Judaism stresses the importance of showing respect for our elders. “You…
Wills and Documents
Taking Responsibility for Yourself and Your Loved Ones “If I am Not for Myself, Who Will Be For Me?” (Pirkei Avot 1:14) This famous teaching of Hillel the Elder is…
Caregiver Stress
Balancing Responsibility with Self-Care Caring for an older adult is both a privilege and a mitzvah. It can be deeply rewarding, but it also comes with challenges. Over time, the…
Prayers for the Terminally Ill
Watching a terminally ill patient suffer is not easy. Emotionally, we just want them to get better, but we understand that medical options have been exhausted and nature is now…
Prayers at the Time of Death
Prayers of a Sick Person Facing Critical Illness or a Major Procedure Classic Jewish thought views terminal illness as an important time for introspection, prayer, and repentance. One of the…
Funeral Rituals
The Funeral Service The traditional Jewish funeral service is a relatively simple but emotionally powerful tribute to the deceased. The service is directed toward honoring the departed through heartfelt eulogies,…
Mourning Rituals
Jewish mourning practices provide a profound roadmap to help guide the bereavement process. They are comprised of a series of laws and customs that delineate many marks in the mourning…
