title: Defining suicide: Importance and implications for Judaism.
abstract: One of the more problematic situations in the Jewish tradition is seeing to the psychological needs of the family of a suicide. This is due to the legal statements found within the tradition, placing some restrictions on the funeral rite. As a result of this, the criteria for the suicide are to be well examined and understood to ensure proper pastoral care.
authors.affiliation: Florida Mental Health Institute, the University of South Florida in Tampa, MHC 5103, 33620, Tampa, Florida.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Schoeneberg