There is little in our tradition to guide us in dealing with the emotions we feel and challenges we face about divorce. Yet, ancient texts and wise sayings seem well suited to helping with this difficult life transition.

As you make your journey from sorrow to renewed strength we hope you and your community find these and other passages meaningful. Use them in any number of ways — as a focus for meditation, an intention for a day, as inspiration for writing for own prayers and meditations.

I say to God, my Rock
Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I walk in gloom,
Oppressed by my enemy?
      Psalm 42:10

Over him who divorces the wife of his youth,
Even the alter of God sheds tears.
      Babylonian Talmud Gitin 90b

Even if all you can say to God is "Help?" it is still very good.
Repeat this over and over again
Until God opens your lips and
The words begin to flow
From your heart.
      LM 11:96 Rebbe Nachman’s Teaching

If a person’s heart is heavy with worry,
Let him unburden himself to other people.
      Yona 75a p.41

God is the healer of shattered hearts.
      Psalm 147:3

Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.
      Psalm 30:5

To obtain a copy of the collected materials used for this commemoration, please contact Alisha Goodman at 212 632-4500 or

These "Spirituality Notes" are excerpts from our monthly E-newsletter. Articles are © JBFCS Rita J. Kaplan Jewish Connections Programs and may be reprinted free of charge as long as this credit line is included.

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