''It is hard to work through one's grief when there are so many cover - ups and so many different kinds of denial at work within the culture. And that is why this book is of so much importance. Anne Brener has crafted a walkway through the valley of the shadow of death. The walkway has thorns and bramble bushes on it but it leads to the other side, beyond grief, for those who are willing to stay the course. Keep this book for time of need and do the grief - work in which it instructs us and you will see that this long and wise heritage of ours still has the power to speak, to heal and to comfort - even in our time.''<br/> - from the Foreword by Rabbi Jack Riemer For those who mourn a death, for those who would help them and for those who face a loss of any kind, <i>Mourning &amp; Mitzvah</i> teaches you the power and strength available to you in the fully experienced mourning process. When the temple stood in the ancient city of Jerusalem, mourners walked through the gates and into the courtyard along a specifically designated mourner's path. As they walked, they came face to face with all the other members of the community, who greeted them with the ancestor of the blessing, ''May God comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.'' In this way, the community embraced those suffering bereavement, yet allowed for unique experiences of grief. In this new and expanded edition of a modern classic, Anne Brener brings us an innovative integration of Jewish tradition and modern professional resources. It gives spiritual insight and healing wisdom to those in our own time who mourn a death, to those who would help them and to those who face a loss of any kind.