What does it look like to treat those who die with dignity? How can Jewish leaders mourn for and alongside their communities while maintaining the sacred mantle of leadership? In this week’s episode, we were blessed to learn with and from Cantor Yugend-Green, the current Cantor of Oak Park Temple (a special place for Executive Producer, Edon Valdman!). We look at the role of the Chevra Kadisha, the special Jewish burial laws and practices, and what it means to maintain silence (or even what NOT to say) in the face of great adversity.
Hebrew Terms Used in This Conversation:
Chevra Kadisha: a burial society, literally “holy friend,” who prepare the deceased for burial
Met/Metah: the deceased (m and f forms)
Taharah: purifying the body for burial, pouring water
Kavannah: intent
“Vayidom Aharon”: And Aaron was silent (Lev. 10:3)
Rosh: the head of the ritural
M'chilah: a prayer asking for forgiveness (for inadvertent indignity caused by taharah)
R'chitzah: gentle cleansing of the deceased
Halbashah B’Tachrichim: dressing of the deceased in burial garments
Tuma/tamei: impure, unclean or “vulnerable”
Tahor: pure, clean, or “whole”
“Baruch Dayan haEmet.”: “Blessed is the true Judge”
“Hamakom Yenachem Etchem B’toch Sh’ar Avelei Tzion Viyrushalayim”: “May God comfort all of you among the rest of the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.”
To continue the conversation:
Cantor Julie Yugend-Green’s email: jygopt@comcast.net
Past Episode on Death/Chevra Kadisha:
Vayechi with Sarit Wishnevski: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/XiowZ3dwOyb
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Edited by Michael Iaciofano
