Almost everyone wants a rabbi to visit at the end of life. There is a sense that it is a sacred time
You know the essentials of your job — provide comfort, give halachic guidance, answer questions, and, most importantly, be present for the patients and their families. But in reality, you’re constantly jumping into a fluid situation where you have little information, and tensions are high. And you never really know what you’ll have to do until your feet hit the ground.
I knew little about Linda. She was in her eighties, had no husband or children, and was close to the end of her life. She seemed at peace when I walked into her room, but she was no longer speaking, and the only person by her side was Loretta, her non-Jewish caregiver.
Loretta was happy to see me. She had spoken with a distant relative of Linda’s and asked if they should call a rabbi to visit Linda, as she seemed to have little time left. This relative told Loretta that they were just “casual” Jews. Although Linda would have a Jewish funeral, they would not be calling a rabbi before she died.
Loretta, who wore a cross around her neck, found this explanation somewhat bewildering, which is why she was visibly relieved when I offered to say the traditional end-of-life prayers at Linda’s bedside. She felt like it was the appropriate thing to do.
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