B’ezras Hashem, the goal of this site is to provide instruction on how to remove medical interventions from a meis during a tahara. The instructional videos on this site focus on the most common devices a Chevra Kadisha might encounter during a tahara. Since every situation is different, the senior metaher should decide whether or not to remove a device, keeping in mind that any action taken should be done with the utmost sensitivity to ensure kavod hameis.
When a person dies, the soul or neshama hovers around the body. This neshama is the essence of the person: the consciousness and totality —the thoughts, deeds, experiences and relationships. The body was its container, while it lasted, and the neshama, now on its way to the Eternal World, refuses to leave until the body is buried. In effect, the totality of the person who died continues to exist for a while in the vicinity of the body. A Jewish funeral is therefore most concerned with the feelings of the deceased, not just the feelings of the mourners. How we treat the body and how we behave around the body must reflect how we would act around the very person at this crucial moment. Preparing a fellow Jew for burial is an especially great mitzvah and those involved are known as members of the Chevra Kadisha (Jewish Burial Society).
The Chevra Kadisha's greatest concern is the sensitive care for — and preservation of the modesty and dignity of — the body of the deceased. Men care for men, women care for women, Jew cares for fellow Jew. This program was conceived in an effort to educate members of the Chevra Kadisha regarding processes and customs performed during this pivotal time in which a body is being prepared for burial.
When a person dies, the soul or neshama hovers around the body. This neshama is the essence of the person: the consciousness and totality —the thoughts, deeds, experiences and relationships. The body was its container, while it lasted, and the neshama, now on its way to the Eternal World, refuses to leave until the body is buried. In effect, the totality of the person who died continues to exist for a while in the vicinity of the body. A Jewish funeral is therefore most concerned with the feelings of the deceased, not just the feelings of the mourners. How we treat the body and how we behave around the body must reflect how we would act around the very person at this crucial moment. Preparing a fellow Jew for burial is an especially great mitzvah and those involved are known as members of the Chevra Kadisha (Jewish Burial Society).
The Chevra Kadisha's greatest concern is the sensitive care for — and preservation of the modesty and dignity of — the body of the deceased. Men care for men, women care for women, Jew cares for fellow Jew. This program was conceived in an effort to educate members of the Chevra Kadisha regarding processes and customs performed during this pivotal time in which a body is being prepared for burial.
PROJECT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHEVRA KADISHA & MISASKIM OF GREATER WASHINGTON
NASCK (The National Association of Chevra Kadisha) was founded in 1996 to assist chevros kadisha in defining, establishing, and achieving the highest degree of kavod hameis (respect for the deceased), as defined by Jewish law. NASCK’s mission has since expanded to include the creation and advancement of programs promoting traditional Jewish end-of-life values across the US and Canada, and educating the unaffiliated about the importance of kevurah k'halachah (authentic Jewish burial). For more information please visit www.nasck.org
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Misaskim of Greater Washington strives to assist during the challenging time after the petirah (death) of an immediate family member. Misaskim operates a network of shiva supply gemachim in many shuls in the Greater Washington area. Misaskim also works to safeguard the dignity of the deceased by advocating for prevention of autopsies and/or cremation, and educating government officials, medical examiners and coroners regarding mandated respect to the Jewish departed. For more information please visit www.misaskimgw.org
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