Pain and Memory: How to Cope with National Grief?

Even if we haven't experienced personal bereavement, on Memorial Day the pain does not spare anyone. This day requires emotional handling unlike anything we know. There are several ways through which one can cope healthily with sorrow and pain, allowing continued functioning.

Recognizing Emotions: It's important to understand that feelings of pain and sorrow are natural, especially on such a day. Even someone who hasn't experienced personal loss feels sorrow for the fallen or those murdered in acts of terror. Recognizing emotions is the key to healthy emotional coping. One can talk, write, or record what one feels.

Planned Breaks: On a day when consciousness is directed toward sorrow and pain, it is important to allow yourself breaks. Taking a short walk, a break from screens or brief solitude provides emotional quiet and reduces mental overload.

Connecting to the Collective Memory: Participating in ceremonies, reading stories about fallen soldiers, or talking with friends and family about the day's significance can help emphasize the shared connection and ease the sense of loneliness.

Mutual Support: In conversations with close ones, you can find a space to share your personal feelings and receive emotional support. On a day when each of us experiences the pain differently, it is important to share and understand each other.

Prayer and Faith: Faith is a constant source of strength, especially in times of sorrow. Prayer or solitude can help deal with challenging emotions and bring comfort. One can read Psalms for the elevation of the souls of the fallen and murdered, light a candle, and of course, study Torah for their merit.

Ultimately, each person chooses their way to cope with Memorial Day. Allow yourself to feel the pain. Express the pain in conversation, in prayer, or in writing, and remember that these feelings are natural and valid.