Kaddish

I remember seeing this on my dad's bedside table a few years back. At the end of the shiva I looked for it to bring back home with me.

I was expecting more memoir and less esoteric review of the history of and responsa surrounding the mourners' kaddish, but it didn't matter.

Moving and learned, Wieseltier is terrific on the distinction between grief and mourning and the obligations a son has to his father. I was advised during the shiva to wait a few months before reading this to get the best out of it. I did and it was worth it.

Helped me with thinking about my parents. Very varied way of thinking about life and death. Wished I had read kaddish more directly after my parents died. It is also a good introduction in the cultural and spiritual history of the (variety of) the Jewish faith.

I was disappointed in this book, but also did want to read it in its entirety. It reminded me very much of studying Talmud, but that is more direct. I would also have preferred the author to divulge more of his feelings. I did gain some learning about the kaddish, but not in an organized and efficient way.

Wieseltier, Leon Religion.