Tahara Training
Prepared by Rick Light
For For thethe North American North American ChevraChevraKadisha and Jewish Cemetery Conferences Organized by Organized by KavodKavod v’Nichum
First presented in June 2006 Revised May 2010 General Outline nn Preparation procedures. nn Washing the Washing the meitmeit(ah) (ah) ––Physical cleansing.Physical cleansing. nn Tahara ––Spiritual cleansing.Spiritual cleansing. nn Dressing the meit (ah). nn Placing the Placing the meitmeit(ah) into the (ah) into the aronaron.. nn Cleaning up. nn Debriefing.
2 Disclaimer nn The procedures used by The procedures used by ChevraChevra Kadisha groups to prepare Jewish bodies for burial are largely minhagminhag––local customs passed down from local customs passed down from generation to generation. nn Some organizations may use different procedures from those presented here. nn What is presented here is an amalgam of the most common procedures among a variety of CK groups.
3 Reference Manuals n Each Chevra Kadisha should maintain or prepare a manual of its procedures. This: n Ensures consistency of quality. n Preserves community customs. n Makes training more consistent. n Facilitates communication. nn A partial list of reference manuals is given at the end of this presentation.
4 Glossary nn Afar Afar ––earth from Israel placed into the casket andearth from Israel placed into the casket and on the on the meitmeit(ah).(ah). nn Aron ––the casket. Jewish custom suggests the caskethe casket. Jewish custom suggests the casket be mt be made of plain wood, ade of plain wood, without metal, and be minimally adorned. nn Chevra Kadisha ––lit. lit. Holy Society, the “Jewish Burial Society” responsible for properly preparing Jewish bodies for burial. It is customary for this group to work anonymously within the community performing Tahara rituals when needed. nn Dom Dom ––blood. blood. nn K’vodK’vodhameithameit ––honoring (showing respect for) the dead.honoring (showing respect for) the dead. nn Meit ––a deceased man.a deceased man. nn Meitah ––a deceased woman.a deceased woman. nn Sovev ––sheet placed into the casket, wrapped aroundsheet placed into the casket, wrapped around the me the meit(ah).it (ah).
5 Glossary Continued nn TachrichimTachrichim––burial shrouds, specifically the clotheburial shrouds, specifically the clothes (usually ps (usually plain linen or muslin) lain linen or muslin) intended to represent the attire of the High Priest, as follows: nn Mitsnefet ––a fulla full--headhead--covering (including face) for a man, bonnet fcovering (including face) for a man, bonnet for a wor a woman.oman. nn Michnasayim ––trousers with a tie at the waist and otrousers with a tie at the waist and often the legsften the legs are sewn shut at the are sewn shut at the feet. nn K’tonet –– long --sleeve shirt with no collar, with tie at neck. nn Kittel ––outer longouter long--sleeve robe with collar, also has tie asleeve robe with collar, also has tie at neck.t neck. nn Avnet or Avnet or GartleGartle ––simple linen strap used as a belt.simple linen strap used as a belt. nn Apron Apron ––simple apron of linensimple apron of linen nn Tahara ––the ritual cleansing of the deceased to prothe ritual cleansing of the deceased to provide phyvide physical and spiritual sical and spiritual cleansing before burial. Sometimes used to mean the entire process of the physical and spiritual washing of the physical and spiritual washing of the meitmeit(ah), the dressing in (ah), the dressing in tachrichimtachrichim, and the , and the placing of it into the casket.
6 Preparation nn Assign tasks, clarify assignments, review rules: nn Leader. nn Reader. nn Shroud ( tachrichim ) organizer. nn Casket (Casket (aronaron) organizer.) organizer. nn Kit contents, buckets, equipment organizer. nn Divide these tasks among the Divide these tasks among the TaharaTahara team as appropriate. nn Everyone participating should know what is expected. nn Leader directs all activities, makes all decisions. nn Leader should have advisor available if needed.
7 Preparation Continued nn Some thoughts on reader responsibilities: nn All readings should be read carefully and clearly aloud. nn Some groups have the entire team read together in unison. nn Some groups memorize the readings ahead of time. nn Can be read in Hebrew, or English, or both (Hebrew first then English). nn Should be read such that the Should be read such that the TaharaTahara team understands what is being read. nn Should be read with Should be read with kavanahkavanah(sincerity and intent to honor the dead).
8 Preparation Continued nn Basic rules of Basic rules of k’vodk’vod hameit (honoring the dead): nn Always refer to the Always refer to the meitmeit(ah) by his/her name.(ah) by his/her name. nn No unnecessary conversation. nn Do not stand at head of meit (ah) except when necessary. nn Pass nothing over the body of the Pass nothing over the body of the meitmeit(ah).(ah). nn Follow directions of the leader, disagreements should be resolved later (after completion of the resolved later (after completion of the TaharaTahara).). nn Details of Details of TaharaTahara events are confidential to the team.
9 Preparation Continued nn Entire team states intentions and asks for guidance before entering guidance before entering TaharaTahara room: nn “Source of kindness and compassion, … grant us the courage and the strength to properly perform this work, … guide our hands and hearts … help us to see Your face in the face of the deceased and in the faces of each other …”
10 Preparation Continued nn Enter Tahara room in silence, set things up: nn Some groups light a candle. nn Wash hands, double glove, gown. nn Fill 2 containers for physical washing (warm water). nn Organize tachrichim (burial garments). [details later in this presentation] nn Organize aron (casket). [details later in this presentation] nn Organize supplies from Tahara kit. nn Remove all clothing, hospital gowns, tags, medical apparatus, etc. Meit(ah) should be naked under clean sheet. Save jewelry, hearing aids in bag for funeral director. Do not remove false teeth or contact lenses. Put tags in casket.
11 A Note About the Candle nn A candle is often lit when entering the Tahara room: nn It stays lit during the entire process. nn The candle is placed at the head of the aron upon completion of the tahara. nn A candle is lit for several reasons: nn Reminds everyone of the holiness of life and death. nn Represents the life of the deceased. nn Reminds funeral home personnel that this is a Jewish burial.
12 Washing the Meit(ah) nn Some thoughts about respect :: nn The meit(ah) is covered with sheet at all times except during rinsing and the Tahara itself. nn Uncover only small portions of body at any one time. nn Speak softly and only when necessary. nn Clean the body gently. nn Most important thing is to have intentions of kindness, dignity, and respect toward the meit(ah).
13 Washing the Meit(ah) Continued nn Say Chamol. nn Say Vaya’an Vayomer while clothing is removed. nn Place clean dry sheet over naked body. nn Cleanse entire body: head, right side, left side, front, back. nn Use warm water, be gentle, be thorough. nn Collect any blood, fingernail clippings, or hair and place in the bag that goes into aron.
14 Washing the Meit(ah) Continued nn As body is washed, recite: nn Hinakh Yaffah (for a woman), or or nn Rosho KetemPazPaz Ketem (for a man, and sometimes for a woman). nn Some have custom to rinse entire body after washing: nn Turn body, pour entire length of right side. nn Turn body, pour entire length of left side. nn Pour entire length of front. nn Dry body and table. nn Cover body with clean dry sheet. nn Discard gloves; wash hands again, Discard gloves; wash hands again, reglovereglove..
15 The Ritual of Tahara nn Fill containers with 24 quarts of cold water ((egeg., 3 buckets ., 3 buckets of 8 quarts each) .. nn Dip boards in bucket water, place under Dip boards in bucket water, place under meitmeit(ah).(ah). nn Recite Amar Rabbi Akiva Rabbi Akiva.. nn Some groups have canopy minhag –– clean sheet becomes becomes chupahchupahover the meit over the meit(ah) during pouring.(ah) during pouring. nn Those holding sheet face away from the Those holding sheet face away from the meitmeit(ah).(ah). nn Need at least 4 (preferably 5 or more) team members present. nn Uncover Uncover meitmeit(ah), then pour water in continuous (ah), then pour water in continuous flow of 24 quarts: nn As one bucket completes its flow the next is started. nn Pour right side first, then left, then center. nn Start at head, pour entire length of body. 16 Tahara Continued nn While pouring occurs, all team members recite: nn Tehora heehee, , tehoratehora heehee, , tehoratehora heehee (for a woman). nn Tahor huhu, , tahortahor huhu, , tahortahor huhu(for a man). nn If there is a break in the flow, refill and repeat pouring. nn Lower canopy sheet onto body, or cover body with clean sheet immediately after pouring is completed. nn Dry the Dry the meitmeit(ah) and table thoroughly, cover with clean (ah) and table thoroughly, cover with clean dry sheet. Use different towels for body and table. nn Remove boards, set aside for cleaning later.
17 Dressing the Meit(ah) nn In death all are equal to the High Priest. nn Therefore, we dress everyone in Therefore, we dress everyone in tachrichimtachrichim identically. nn Shrouds (Shrouds (tachrichimtachrichim) should be laid out ahead of time ) should be laid out ahead of time in the order needed to facilitate this process. nn Recite SosSosAssisAssis.. nn Carefully support head at all times during dressing. nn Team members on opposite sides of table work together in dressing and knot tying .
18 Dressing the Meit(ah) Continued nn Order of dressing: nn Keep face covered with small cloth until head covering later. nn K’tonet (collarless tunic) nn Recite …you shall wear a holy tunic… nn Tie knot at neck. nn Mikhnasayim (pants) nn Recite …and linen breeches shall be on your flesh… nn Tie knots at waist and ankles (man) or below knees (woman). nn Kittle (jacket with collar) nn Tie knot at neck. 19 Dressing the Meit(ah) Continued nn Order of dressing continued: nn Avnet / Avnet / gartelgartel(belt) nn Recite …and a linen sash shall you tie… nn Tie knot at waist. nn Tuck cut --off tzitzit into the belt (if tallit is present) nn For a woman: place on the veil, then For a woman: place on the veil, then mitznefetmitznefet (bonnet) nn Recite …and a linen headdress shall you don… nn For a man: place on a For a man: place on a kipahkipah, then , then mitznefetmitznefet (hood) nn Recite …and a linen headdress shall you don…
20 Dressing the Meit(ah) Continued nn Knots are important part of dressing the meit(ah). nn Two people work together to twist, then one ties the knot, as appropriate. nn Count aloud alef, bet, gimel, dalet (or in English) during twisting. nn The following diagrams show how this is done.
21 Starting Position for Knot Tying
22 Twisting is Done By 2 People: Aleph
23 End of Twisting
24 First Step in Tying Loops
25 Second Step in Tying Loops
26 Final Step in Tying Loops
27 Finished Knots: Shin
28 Finished Knots: Shadai
29 Moving into the Aron nn Casket (Casket (aronaron) should be prepared ahead of time, ) should be prepared ahead of time, but if necessary do this now: nn Remove all fancy innards, some leave a little straw for pillow. nn Drill holes in bottom (if possible, do outside of Drill holes in bottom (if possible, do outside of TahaTaharara room); check with funeral home and Rabbi before drilling. nn Sovev (sheet) should be diagonally draped across aron (sheet) should be diagonally draped across aron.. nn Tallit should be draped in place ready to wrap shoulders (with should be draped in place ready to wrap shoulders (with one one tzitzittzitzit removed). nn Afar (Israeli earth) should be sprinkled inside. nn Recite VehuVehuRahumRahum.. nn Place pillow sack with straw and afar inside into Place pillow sack with straw and afar inside into aaron..ron
30 Moving into the Aron Continued nn Move body respectfully into Move body respectfully into aronaron, laying , laying meitmeit(ah) gently (ah) gently onto onto sovevsovev.. nn If room allows, place If room allows, place aronaronat foot of table, lift from both sides of table, at foot of table, lift from both sides of table, walk to walk to aronaron and lower and lower meitmeit(ah) into (ah) into aronaron.. nn Alternatively, place aron next to table, parallel to it, lift from side of table and from across and from across aronaron, gently move body into , gently move body into aronaron.. nn Some funeral homes have hydraulic lifts that can easily lift the body. nn Always support the head during the move. nn Recite Velo Yavo’u.. Yavo’u nn Sprinkle afar on eyes, mouth, genitals, heart. nn Recite Vekhiper Admato Ano.. Ano
31 Moving into the Aron Continued nn Place pottery shards over eyes and mouth. nn Wrap Wrap tallittallit over shoulders. nn Wrap Wrap sovevsovevaround meit around meit(ah).(ah). nn feet, right side, left side, head nn Recite Hinei Mitato .. nn Entire team asks Entire team asks meitmeit(ah) for forgiveness for any disrespect (ah) for forgiveness for any disrespect during this procedure. nn Place lid on Place lid on aronaron; some place the lit candle on lid.; some place the lit candle on lid. nn Recite Uvinso’a Hamishkan.. Hamishkan nn Wheel Wheel aronaron (feet first) into area where (feet first) into area where sh’mirahsh’mirahcan continue.
32 Cleaning Up nn Team restores order to Team restores order to TaharaTahara room. nn Wash and dry boards placed under Wash and dry boards placed under meitmeit(ah).(ah). nn Clean and put away kit contents. nn Place dirty laundry into appropriate container. nn Dispose of biohazard materials appropriately. nn Remove gloves, smocks. nn Wash hands ritually, then with soap/hot water.
33 Debriefing nn Participation in Participation in TaharaTahara is among the most powerful of human experiences. nn Intense feelings and reactions are common. nn Very important to support each other and set aside time to address and honor these. nn Immediately after Immediately after TaharaTahara, team should discuss feelings., team should discuss feelings. nn Leader should follow up if team members have issues. nn Confidentiality and sacred space awareness is essential, as is anonymity of those participating.
34 Handling Difficult Situations nn Some Some TaharotTaharotrequire special effort: nn Infectious diseases, must assume the worst. If funeral home gives specific instructions, follow them. nn Violent death Violent death ––sometimes ritual sometimes ritual TaharaTaharacannot be performed, or the performed, or the meitmeit(ah) cannot be dressed as usual. Wash (ah) cannot be dressed as usual. Wash as best you can, pour as best you can, lay tachrichim on the body if you cannot dress it. nn Body wastes and excretions. nn Fluid flows that are difficult to stop. nn Removal/handling of various medical items attached to the body. nn Leader must decide on the spot how to handle these situations.
35 Reference Manuals nn Chesed Shel Emet , The Truest Act of Kindness, by Rabbi Stuart Stuart KelmanKelman, EKS Publishing Co., Albany, California, 2000,, EKS Publishing Co., Albany, California, 2000, ISBN 0ISBN 0--939144939144--3333--6.6. nn Guidelines for Performing Tahara , For the , For the ChevraChevraKadisha of of Northern New Mexico, by Rick Light, 2 ndnd Edition, May 2005. Download: http://jewishhttp://jewish--funerals.org/cknm.pdffunerals.org/cknm.pdf nn PSJC Hevra Kadisha Tahara Manual, By Rabbi Regina L. SandlerSandler--Phillips, 2Phillips, 2 ndnd Edition, September 2009, Park Slope Jewish Center, Brooklyn, NY. Download: http://www.jewishhttp://www.jewish--funerals.org/PSJCTaharaManual.pdfunerals.org/PSJCTaharaManual.pdff
36 Reference Manuals Continued nn Tahara Guide , Prepared for the New Haven , Prepared for the New Haven ChevraChevraKadisha, , Kadisha By Rabbi By Rabbi YechezkelYechezkel SchlingenbaumSchlingenbaum, New Haven, CT, 1993., New Haven, CT, 1993. nn Tahara Manual of Practices Including Including HalachaHalachaDecisions of Hagaon HaravMoshe Feinstein, Harav Moshe Feinstein, zt'lzt'l, By Rabbi , By Rabbi MoshaMoshaEpstein, Bridgeport, CT, 3 rdrd Edition, 2005, (Available From Kavod v'Nichum ).). nn Also of Interest: Dignity Beyond Death , The Jewish Preparation for Burial, By Rochel U. Berman, U. Berman, UrimUrimPublications, Jerusalem, 2005, ISBN 965965--71087108--6666--7.7.
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