Almost everyone in Israel knows someone who was killed in the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, or in the ensuing war. The scale of those losses remains overwhelming even as we pass three years since the day that shook Jews around the world.
The perseverance is equally humbling. Former hostages held in Gaza and their family members have written bestselling books and released music albums. Grassroots and volunteer organizations have been founded for visiting the wounded in hospitals, caring for children who lost parents, helping rebuild war-affected areas and many other causes related to the massacre. Israel remains among the 10 happiest nations in the world.
Part of this resilience can be traced to the enduring Jewish practices for mourning—practices that focus on dwelling with the loss, not trying immediately to move past it. We rip our clothes on hearing of the death of a family member. We sit shiva, a formal seven days of grief in which mourners stay at home, wear torn clothing, cover mirrors, sit on low stools and silently feel their loss. We recite kaddish, a mourners’ prayer, daily for 11 months.
These are rituals that create a structure for intensely feeling brokenness. And the intensity holds lessons and wisdom that extends to all humans.
Part of Jews’ resilience can be traced to the enduring Jewish practices for mourning—practices that focus on dwelling with the loss, not trying immediately to move past it, writes @RabbiBrander https://t.co/l6P4UKx7k7
— Wall Street Journal Opinion (@WSJopinion) October 9, 2026
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