By Emmanuel Gandu
ORIGIN
Christians observe a 30-day period of mourning after a death to pay respect and pray for the soul of the departed member. This mourning period ends at the expiration of the 30 days with congregational prayers and solemn “celebration.”
During this period of mourning there is usually less of human and social activities in the community.
This 30-day observance originated from Jewish culture and tradition. At the expiration of the 30 days the practice of concluding the mourning in Jewish tradition is called “Sheloshim” meaning “thirty” in Hebrew.
WHY 30 DAYS
In ancient Israel, 30 days marked the formal, complete period of grief for their dead especially major national leaders:
√ When Aaron died on Mount Hor, the entire house of Israel wept and mourned Aaron for 30 days before moving forward into the next chapter of their history.
-Numbers 20:29
√ After Moses died in the plains of Moab, the Israelites wept and mourned him for 30 days until the period of mourning concluded.
-Deuteronomy 34:8
While these 30-day periods involved deep communal lament, weeping, and solemn reflection, the Bible records them strictly as designated times of mourning for major national leaders rather than extended 30-day prayer vigils.
On the other hand, Jewish tradition observes standard personal or family mourning lasting for 7 days such as for Jacob. – Genesis 50:10
Whereas the public nation-wide mourning period for high ranking figures like Moses and Aaron was extended to a full 30 days.
SIGNIFICANCE OF, AND THE END OF THE 30 DAYS
This Jewish month-long custom/traditional practice of reflection often produces a richer sense of obedience and renewal, helping the people to form life-long rhythms that have now become consistent with life and the teachings found in Scripture.
During the 30 days mourning period, there is usually less human and social activities in the community. At the end of the 30 days which is called “Sheloshim” in Hebrew, the people need to get back to their daily routine.
The declaration of the date of expiration of the 30-day period, following the solemn prayers, commemoration, reflection and observance serves as:
1. A decisive boundary between the mourning period and the call to move forward.
2. A distinct clarion call for closure and readiness to move forward to the next phase of covenant living.
3. A disciplined pattern for cultivating obedience to the customs and traditions of the land.
4. An environment conducive to experiencing God’s guidance.
5. A practice that has become part of the cherished ideals of the Christian world.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY
