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Contents : Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation Bethesda Maryland 2005 Adat Shalom Chevra Kadisha Reconstructionist Tahara Handbook for Women and Men This booklet contains the service and instructions for performing tahara. It is one suggested liturgy assembled by members of Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation rooted in tradition but revised in light of Reconstructionist principles. Introduction Just as a newborn child is immediately washed and enters this world clean and pure so one who departs this world must be cleansed and made pure through the religious ritual called taharah. In addition to the physical cleansing and preparation of the body for burial the Chevrah Kadishah recites required prayers asking Almighty God for forgiveness for any sins the deceased may have committed and praying that the All-Merciful may guard the deceased and grant him or her eternal peace. - Maurice Lamm The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning (1969) highest act of gemilut chesed acts of loving kindness is that The which is done for the dead for there can never by any question of repayment. - Tanhuma Vayehi 107A Glossary Aron Coffin casket. Chevra Kadisha Burial Society (literally holy society). K Hamet/ vod K Hametah vod Respect for the dead (male/female). Met/Metah The deceased also the dead body. Mechilah Forgiveness the forgiveness asked by the chevra kadisha for having disturbed the met. Tachrichim Shrouds: Jews are buried in the same type of All garment . . . . Nineteen hundred years ago Rabbi Gamaliel instituted this practice so that the poor would not be shamed and the wealthy would not vie with each other in displaying the costliness of their burial clothes. (Lamm The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning) Tahara Purification specifically the ritual pouring of water before dressing the met for burial. Also refers to the entire service. ii NOTE: These first few pages Roman numerals iii-vi are prefatory and should be read in advance. The tahara service begins on Arabic page number 1. Basic Information (1) Information about the deceased. The Hebrew name of the deceased and of his/her parents is obtained by the leader of the chevra from the synagogue Life Cycle Committee which is s in touch with the family. The deceased family will also know the cause of s death. (See the end note Complications. If necessary the family of the ) deceased may be called directly for this information. (2) Who performs tahara Participation in tahara is a mitzvah of the highest order. It is performed by Jews to honor a deceased person who is Jewish. Generally speaking women perform taharot for women men for men though this may be modified if circumstances require. Close relatives of the deceased generally do not perform the tahara. For instance a man generally does not do tahara for his father brother or father-in-law. A woman would not usually do tahara for the analogous relatives. This too can be modified as circumstances require. Performing the ritual requires moderate physical effort including the ability to lift a substantial part of a body for short periods of time. A woman may perform tahara during her menstrual period. Only members of the chevra kadisha are permitted to be in the room or to see or hear into it during a tahara. (3) When is tahara performed Ideally tahara is not done more than three hours before burial. This is iii rarely achieved nowadays however and it is permissible to do tahara on the night before burial. If the weather is hot or the condition of the met is known to be deteriorating rapidly tahara can even be performed several days before burial. The honor of the met is the critical consideration. (4) Attitude. Note: Discussion of any part of the tahara service and any decisions that must be made regarding the ritual or liturgy should occur before entering the room with the met. Once the service begins participants should follow the instructions of the leader. Limit conversation to the actual procedures at hand. Discussion of the deceased personality family problems disease (unless safety is in s question) or other topics is inappropriate. Try to avoid turning your back on the deceased which in some traditions is considered a sign of disrespect. Proceed with k hamet (the honor of the person who has died) uppermost vod in mind. Handle the met in a gentle manner. (5) Clothing. You will be pouring water and may step in some. Wear comfortable shoes with traction and clothes that are comfortable as well but nothing that might show disrespect for the dead. Bring a head covering -- such as a kippah scarf or hat -- for ritual rather than hygienic purposes. Head covering will also be available at the funeral home. Summary of the Procedures Preparation of the met encompasses several procedures and rituals done in a specific order. The actual tahara -- the pouring of water -- is one of these rituals. The summ

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