Moed Katan 24: The Worst

NOTE: This episode discusses infant mortality. But first, additional discussion of the rites of mourning, and how some become optional on Shabbat. This rites are less clear than some of the previous ones, because of various customs. Tearing garments is supposed to be a sign of greatest sorrow - including how some sages (like Shmuel) tore for their colleague/teachers (like Rav). Also, how we keep our loved and respected ones, even through our grief. Now, to the most difficult part: The details of the burial of a newborn (until 30 days). And then the details for an infant (until a year). And then the details for a year old... Which is fundamentally the same level of mourning as that for an adult. The details here are prescriptive and descriptive, perhaps, but theological or existential.