Why Jews Sit Shiva for Seven Days | Rabbi Melanie Levav & Rebecca Missel

Jewish tradition gives mourners seven days where nothing is expected of them except grief. Most of us have nothing like it. In this episode, Rabbi Melanie Levav, executive director of Shomer Collective, and Rebecca Missel, who leads Shiva Circle, join host Niki Weiss to talk about what shiva actually is, why these rituals are getting harder to access, and where technology helps with grief and where it cannot go. CHAPTERS 0:00 The walk around the block 1:27 Meet Rabbi Melanie Levav and Rebecca Missel 2:37 What Jewish tradition says about what happens after we die 4:40 Why shiva is hard to access in modern life 7:51 What shiva is: seven days, covered mirrors, no shoes 11:43 Niki was eleven when her father died 13:04 The seven day candle and what it represents 14:34 The old custom of measuring graves to make candle wicks 17:14 How shiva compares to other traditions 20:26 Can AI help with grief 22:07 What Zoom shiva taught us during the pandemic 23:10 Advance directives, shared folders, and planning on your phone 25:55 What the word shomer means and why it named the work 27:42 Sudden death, traumatic death, and talking to kids 30:16 Why the fear of death is really a fear of the unknown 33:10 The fear of grief itself 35:03 Living more fully by facing death WHAT YOU WILL LEARN - What sitting shiva involves and why every ritual in it has a purpose - Why the last morning of shiva ends with a walk around the block - Where digital tools genuinely help with mourning, and where human presence cannot be replaced - How to make advance directives portable and accessible to the people who need them - How to talk with children about death before a loss happens Live fully, die ready. Start your plan and take the free assessment: https://finalplaybook.com/main-page LISTEN TO THE PODCAST Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/death-and-dying-in-the-digital-age/id1775499012 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MQkOgvyPQnLEz1fO9BHkY Subscribe: @DigitalLegacyPodcast FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/endevo_digitallegacy/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@endevo_digitallegacy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/endevo.digitallegacy Download the My Final Playbook app: Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/my-final-playbook/id6791298756 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=endevo.life.finalplaybook #deathanddyinginthedigitalage #ENDevo #digitallegacy #myfinalplaybook Disclaimer: This channel is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical, legal, or financial advice. Views expressed by the host and guests are their own. Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions. The channel is not responsible for actions taken based on its content. Re-uploads or ANY use of our content is prohibited.