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The Loss of the Temple and the Loss of Parents

[additional-authors]
August 31, 2016

[Ed. Note: The following was submitted partially in response to the recently published entry The Doorway of Tisha B’Av, August 17, 2016. — JB]

 

I cherish the years I have spent as a chaplain…honored to be accompanying people on difficult journeys.  Holding the hand of someone who has just lost a child, giving a hug to someone who just lost a parent, or crying with someone who just received devastating news. 

But, as long as these losses were NOT personal, there was always a certain degree of detachment…probably necessary to maintain sanity.

But few of us escape the inevitability of death amongst those close to us.  And so, when death comes knocking at our door…how the dynamics change!!!

When a parent dies, one can say that is expected and that is the correct order.  One might assume knowing the death of a parent is inevitable should take the edge off of the loss.   Should is the operative word.  WHY???  There are so many variables…the tenor of the relationship, the age of the parent, the health of the parent, etc.  Throw into the mix…accidents.  Preventable ones and tragic ones. Add murders and other violent deaths – mass shootings, bombings and terrorism and the ability and inability to cope, accept, mourn, and otherwise be face to face with the reality can run the gamut of acceptance, disbelief, anger and denial.

When I am questioned by a Dr. as to my family history – specifically – longevity – I am unable to answer.

Both my parents – years apart – died as a result of hospital error.  How does one internalize that deep sense of being gipped, robbed and horrified?? 

Yizkor, from a traditional sense, is the go to prayer for mourners on specific holidays.  Somehow – though I say the prayer with kavannah…it never quite does it.  What length of years would my parents have attained 75? 80? 90???  Knowing then temples were destroyed by outside forces actually brings a modicum of calm to my spirit as I realize my parents were also destroyed by outside forces…by those who had opportunity to make different choices…but didn’t.  I can liken my parents to the temples…they were spiritual, sacred and a “place” I could always go to seek guidance, help and hear words of Torah.  Their words were silenced…but to this day – 20 and 30 years later – I feel their guidance. And as we continue to remember and speak of the Temples that are no longer…I am sure MY parent know that their children, their grandchildren and their great-grandchildren still invoke their names and deeds – though THEY, like the temples, are NO LONGER!!

 

Laurie Dinerstein-Kurs: I am from Brooklyn, currently living in NJ.  Having originally learned about Taharah as a yeshiva student, I knew I would participate as soon as the opportunity presented itself.  I have participated in doing Taharah for almost 30 years. I am currently the ROSHA of our chevrah. When not doing Taharah, I taught school – up until I retired and went back to school and became a chaplain. I held the Federation position of County (Mercer) Chaplain for 15 years. Married for 46 years, our two children have blessed us with grandchildren.

 

 


 

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