When it seems the world doesn’t have a prayer when it comes to practising love, we can learn from The Amen Effect.

That’s the name of a principle — and a book — from Rabbi Sharon Brous, one of America’s most influential Jewish leaders. Simply, the Amen Effect is what happens in our hearts and our society if we connect with others in a powerful, personal way in times of sorrow and celebration — but especially sorrow.

She ties that need to an ancient story about how the sick, the poor, and the bereaved used to line up at the temple in Jerusalem to pour out their hearts to God. At the same time, pilgrims to the city would circle the temple, in the opposite direction, so they could see and comfort the afflicted.

Their devotion to God meant reaching out to His suffering children.

Likewise, when Jewish believers came together to recite the kaddish or mourner’s prayer for the bereaved, the assembly at various points would recite the “Amen” , not as a formality, but as a sign of unity and community.

The word itself doesn’t mean, “The End”. It’s an affirmation meaning, May it be so!” or “Right on!”

And the principle is much the same as the Old Testament ritual of ripping a piece of clothing to symbolize being torn up inside. Most of us know about the rending of garments amid grief. But there’s also a “mending” tradition.

During the shiva — the official seven-day........

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