Main Piece: Sorrow

“Sorrow shared is sorrow halved” 

“צער משותף הוא צער בחצי”

Background Information:

This was a proverb that my mother grew up with in Israel. Her mother would say it to her in situations where it was applicable.

Context of the Performance:

This is said to somebody when they are experiencing sorrow when others also feel the same sorrow. It tells them that they are not alone in their sorrow and that they have support through others. Going through a sad situation alone is much more difficult than experiencing it with somebody else because there is somebody to talk about it with that shares the same experience.

My Thoughts:

I have not encountered this proverb before, but it is a very applicable one. It is always better to have somebody to talk about a sad situation with and this proverb summarizes that truth very well.