Funeral Service

FUNERAL SERVICE xapy Akavya ben Mahalalel said: Reflect on three things and you oe will avoid transgression: Know where you came from, where you are, going, and before whom you will have to give an account and reckon- ing. “Where you came from” - from a putrid drop. “Where you are going” — to a place of dust, worms and maggots. “And before whom you will have to give an account and reckoning” — before the Supreme King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He. While on the way to the grave, say: 103 1W He who lives in the shelter of the Most High dwells in the?s 9 shadow of the Almighty. I say of the Lorn, my Refuge and Stronghold, my God in whom I trust, that He will save you from the fowler’s snare and the deadly pestilence. With His pinions He will cover you, and beneath His wings you will find shelter; His faithfulness is an encircl- ing shield. You need not fear terror by night, nor the arrow that flies by day; not the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the plague that ravages at noon. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. Because you said “The Lorn is my Refuge,” taking the Most High as your shelter, no harm will befall you, no plague will come near your tent, for He will command His angels about you, to guard you in all your ways. They will lift you in their hands, lest your foot stumble on a stone. You will tread on lions and vipers, you will trample on young lions and snakes. [God says] “Because he loves Me, I will rescue him; I will protect him, because he acknowledges My name. When he calls on Me, I will answer him, I will be with him in distress, I will deliver him and bring him honor. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salva- tion. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.’ understand why there is suffering and death, we reaffirm our faith, tried and tested though it may be, that there is an ultimate order and justice in the universe. 1¥7 The Rock: a symbol, taken from the Song of Moses (Deut. 32) signifying the eternity of God in the face of the transience of life.