#taharah

[arrowhearts]

Taharah & Gender by Emily Fishman (EmFish) | Jewish Journal

Tahara is sometimes done with little information except names-- that of the meyt and those of our fellow team members. Some who perform Taharah find that

“It is important to me to be cared for in death by people who would have shared my community in life. This is why the Community Hevra Kadisha of Greater Boston is so critical– it allows Jews from all walks of life to care for the dead of our own communities rather than outsourcing this holy task to folks from only one strand of Judaism.  Similarly, I do not want to be cared for in death by people who would have been uncomfortable with or curious about my life.  In order to care for trans and GNC people in death, they need to be included in your life while they are alive.  Knowing that my existence was included and valued during my lifetime is the only way I can feel certain you will look at my body with love and kavod in death.“

[ofblessedmemory]

What is a Chevra Kadisha? A somewhat long post, which mentions death quite a bit, though not graphic in any way.

The chevra kadisha, translated as “holy society,” tends to the body of the deceased, and cares for the needs of deceased who have no next-of-kin. Some chevra kadisha also tend to the sick, prepare needs for the mourning, and provide burial garments for the poor. They are among one of the most respected and honored groups in Jewish communities, though their work has often been clouded in anonymity and mystery, with outside community members often not even knowing what exactly it is they do. This is due to the fact that taharah is considered a very private ritual.

Customs for performing taharah, the ritual cleansing of the body, has traditionally been passed down by word of mouth from generation to generation. Fathers would pass the customs on to their sons, and mothers to their daughters. However, there are now manuals of practice so that anyone can learn the necessary information.

There is a sense of fraternity to a chevra kadisha. While this is seen in various ways, the most common is the celebration of Zayin Adar, Moses’ assumed birthday and death anniversary. The day begins as a fast to atone for any inadvertent disrespect shown to the dead, and the reciting of selichot, penitential prayers. There is also a special Torah reading as the memory of Moses is honored. The day concludes with a banquet and services, regarded as an important event for the chevra kadisha. Many communities also observe other dates similarly; the 15th and 20th of Kislev, and Lag b'Omer. Observation of Zayin Adar is still observed by many modern communities, with dinner and learning, as a way to honor the chevra kadisha.

Membership, traditionally, is rather difficult to attain, though now it may be easier. The head of the chevra would scout community members, and determine who would be a good fit. It was considered a great privilege and joyous occasion to merit acceptance into a chevra kadisha. Traditionally, members had to be of high moral character; Shomer Shabbat, Shomer Kashrut, and Shomer Taharah haMishpachah. (That is, they had to observe shabbat, the kosher laws, and the laws of family purity.) Today, however, some chevra kadisha do not require this, and some say any Jewish person may join. This may be due to the fact that many people are not willing to perform these tasks, as they are not comfortable with handling the dead, and there is a great need in many communities for members who are willing to bury the dead in a traditional Jewish manner.

There is a tradition of confidentiality, and even secrecy, within a chevra kadisha, and many require their members to not discuss the specific details of a taharah. For educational purposes, members may discuss rituals in a general sense, without revealing who was in attendance at a particular taharah or who the deceased was.

Some say a woman who is niddah should not participate, or should not fill the buckets or pour water, and some have no such restrictions. However, it is still customary to not have pregnant people participate, partly because it is considered disrespectful to the deceased to have new life flaunted in front of their corpse, and primarily because it may not be safe for a pregnant person to do so, particularly the lifting of heavy, water-filled buckets.

All members should dress modestly while performing taharah, including with their heads covered. Some say it’s best to dress as though attending a funeral, as a taharah is a very somber event.

Each chevra kadisha may or may not charge dues to their members. Some may expect their members to attend the funerals, act as pall-bearers, to participate in lowering the coffin, and to shovel dirt into the grave. It really depends on the individual community.

What’s the difference between a Chevra Kadisha and a mortician? Members of a chevra are volunteers, and formal training in mortuary science is not required in order to join. Morticians are professional, paid handlers of the deceased who also perform tasks beyond simple burial that would be considered forbidden by Jewish law, such as cremation and embalming. While some chevra kadisha members may happen to also be morticians, and many chevras do operate out of funeral homes, the two are not the same thing.

Fundamental beliefs of a Chevra Kadisha

Death is a daily occurrence. We have a communal obligation to care for our dead.

Kavod haMetim – the primary concern; honoring the dead

The laws and customs pertaining to the care and disposition of the deceased are a direct reflection of the most fundamental principles of Jewish belief, which include:

B'ztelem Elohim – the belief that humans were created in G-d's image

The belief in the eternity of the soul (neshama) that is the Divine source of all life

When the neshama leaves its temporary home -the body- it goes on to the Afterlife, whatever that may be

[riwaqalquran]

Benefits Of Taharah And Its Importance In Islam

Benefits Of Taharah And Its Importance In Islam All of the world’s processes are intertwined with human mythology and human needs such as eating, sleeping, and washing are drawn from natural cycles. The digesting system in humans does not retain any hazardous toxics in the body, similar to how the cycle of keeping clean is prominent in the structure. Similarly, birds and mammals have their own methods for removing dust specks from their skin; birds are often seen picking at their feathers for a good wipe.

The oceans and rivers are built in such a way that waste is ejected from them, allowing the pure essence of water to flow freely. Humans are the same way. For a clear mind, clear eye, and inventive thought, he must keep himself clean.

[portalmaduracom]

Apa itu Taharah? Ini Penjelasannya dalam Ilmu Fikih

PortalMadura.Com – Taharah merupakan hal yang wajib dilakukan sebelum melakukan ibadah. Dalam kitab fiqih dijelaskan, taharah ialah membersihkan diri dari kotoran yang

Baca Selengkapnya di Source link

[abukhadeejahsp]

SalafiSounds: @AbuKhadeejahSP - Bulūgh al-Marām: The Book of Purification – “Can a large amount of water become impure and how?” [Lesson 6] @SalafiMasjidCOM Bulūgh al-Marām: The Book of Purification – “Can a large amount of water become impure and how?” By Abu Khadeejah…

[ofblessedmemory]

Taharah: The Ritual Cleansing of the Body

This is by no means comprehensive and not a guide to performing taharah. This is a very basic idea of how the average taharah might be handled.

A chevra kadisha (burial society) often performs taharah, with a team being put together for each, made up of members that will best suit the tasks at hand. If it is a family member of someone in the chevra that has passed away, that member may be excused from their duties, though some do allow second or third degree relatives to perform taharah (grandchildren, in-laws, etc.) Most chevra kadisha operate out of a funeral home, or otherwise have a special room or building in which they can perform their duties.

(Note: Ethiopian communities do not have chevra kadishot. They handle death a little differently, and will be a separate post.)

When choosing who to put on a taharah team, the volunteer and their life should also be considered. It is a general rule that if a taharah is being performed on a small child, those who have small children should not be chosen to do it.

As the laws of modesty remain in-tact even after death, only men may perform taharah for men and only women may do so for women. While I wasn’t able to find anything specific with regards to deceased trans and/or non-binary people, there are many chevra kadisha actively working toward inclusion for all people.

All idle conversation is forbidden while performing a taharah. Volunteers may only speak in order to coordinate with other members, prayers and Psalms are said, and they may exchange memories of the deceased’s life. Cause of death should not be speculated, and wounds may only discussed if there is a need to figure out how to properly close and protect it.

Among Sephardim, it is customary for the shofar to be blown during the taharah.

Prior to taharah, there may be a rechitza, if necessary - an initial washing of the deceased in order to remove any dirt and debris or seal any open wounds.

There are only a few strict rules as to how a taharah may be performed. It was common for the chevra kadisha of each community to form its own manual of operation, which often contained personal, community-specific traditions. The only constants across most locations are as follows: The body must have a shomer/etz -a watcher- who remains with the body until the chevra group is ready for the taharah, and recites prayers and Psalms for the deceased. The body remains covered in some way, often by a white blanket or sheet, and is uncovered in sections so that they may be washed with a constant stream of 24 quarts of water. Among Sephardim, the head is washed seven times, then again with warm water, then washed with soap and water three times, and then rinsed a final time with cold water.

While this is not common, some communities may have a special mikvah in which the bodies are washed, rather than the method described above.

Some communities have a custom of putting egg and wine, or an egg white and vinegar mix, on the face of the deceased, though this is not halachah.

Prayers and passages from Psalms are recited, and then the body is wrapped in tachrchim, the burial clothes. This consists of a shirt, pants, belt, and cap, all made of untreated white linen. The shrouds have no pockets, and no hems. The body is then wrapped securely in a shroud, the main knot of which is tied into the shape of the Hebrew letter shin, representing one of the names of G-d, Shaddai. If the deceased owned a tallit, they will also be wrapped in that before burial. Before being placed in the coffin (or before burial, if there is no coffin) the eyes and mouth are covered with broken pieces of clay pottery or dishware, and dirt is often sprinkled inside the coffin. The chevra recites more prayers, asking forgiveness for any inadvertent disrespect or lack of care shown to the deceased. Once closed, the coffin may not be opened again unless absolutely necessary.

While this is considered uncommon, taharah may be skipped if doing so would risk the body losing blood or is otherwise too fragile, as all parts of the body -including any blood- must be buried with the body. This includes any dirt, fabric, or other items - they are all placed in the coffin or wrapped up with the corpse. If possible, those performing the taharah should wash around the wound. It may also be skipped if doing so poses a health risk to the chevra members. If taharah must be skipped, there are often extra prayers for forgiveness recited in sorrow that it was unable to be performed.

While this is not always from trauma - if available, any amputated limbs or removed organs -not including donated ones- should also be buried with the deceased. Or, buried in the spot in which the person plans to be buried, if they are able to make pre-arranged plans.

If the person died violently, particularly as a result of antisemitism, they are sometimes buried in the clothes in which they died. This may be done either because there is a significant amount of blood on the clothes that may belong to the victim, and/or because some communities believe that if G-d sees this person’s soul in such a state, They may be moved to do something about it.

[darilmwataqwa-blog]