Jewish Jewish DeathDeath

Eddy Wiens, Chris Friesen, Eddy Wiens, Chris Friesen, Jordan Screpnek, David Jordan Screpnek, David Schroeder, Heather BooySchroeder, Heather Booy

IntroductionIntroduction Two principles that govern the Jewish Two principles that govern the Jewish

approach to death and morning: approach to death and morning:

1.1. Kavod Ha-Met – Honoring the DeadKavod Ha-Met – Honoring the Dead - It is extremely important to treat the body with - It is extremely important to treat the body with

respect and care from the time of death until the respect and care from the time of death until the burial is completedburial is completed

2.2. Death is a natural processDeath is a natural process

Role of the RabbiRole of the Rabbi

Rabbinic ConsultationRabbinic Consultation

- families should consult the Rabbi as - families should consult the Rabbi as soon as possible when death occurssoon as possible when death occurs

Rabbinic GuidanceRabbinic Guidance

- any questions regarding funeral - any questions regarding funeral arrangements and periods of mourning arrangements and periods of mourning should be referred to the Rabbi should be referred to the Rabbi

Chevra KadishaChevra Kadisha

A holy society, or “burial society”A holy society, or “burial society”Assists the bereaved families in arranging Assists the bereaved families in arranging

for the funeral according to halachafor the funeral according to halachaDefine requirements of proper respect for Define requirements of proper respect for

a corpse, the ritual cleansing of the body, a corpse, the ritual cleansing of the body, and subsequent dressing for burial and subsequent dressing for burial

Funeral DirectorFuneral Director

Rabbi should be consulted on the Rabbi should be consulted on the acceptability of a funeral director.acceptability of a funeral director.

A funeral director (also known as a A funeral director (also known as a mortician or undertaker) is someone mortician or undertaker) is someone involved in the business of funeral rites. involved in the business of funeral rites. The job often entails the burial or The job often entails the burial or cremation of the dead. cremation of the dead.

It is important that the funeral director to It is important that the funeral director to follow Jewish customs and traditionfollow Jewish customs and tradition

Cemetery SocietiesCemetery Societies

In some communities, there may be In some communities, there may be Jewish cemetery societies that can be Jewish cemetery societies that can be used in place of a funeral director. used in place of a funeral director.

The Rabbi should also be consulted on the The Rabbi should also be consulted on the use of cemetery societies.use of cemetery societies.

When Death OccursWhen Death Occurs

Jewish law requires that burial take place as Jewish law requires that burial take place as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours of soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours of death. death.

Exceptions may be made for legal reasons such Exceptions may be made for legal reasons such as transporting the deceased, close relatives as transporting the deceased, close relatives having to travel a long distance to attend the having to travel a long distance to attend the funeral, or avoiding burial on Shabbat.funeral, or avoiding burial on Shabbat.

Shmirah – body of the deceased must not be left Shmirah – body of the deceased must not be left alone prior to burial. alone prior to burial.

Aninut: Time Between Death and Aninut: Time Between Death and Burial Burial

Ritual cleansing (Taharah) in which Ritual cleansing (Taharah) in which the body is washed by specially the body is washed by specially trained groups of people called trained groups of people called Hevra Kadisha or a Jewish funeral Hevra Kadisha or a Jewish funeral director in preparation for the burial.director in preparation for the burial.

Once the body is washed it is Once the body is washed it is dressed in a plain linen cloth called dressed in a plain linen cloth called ‘Tachrichim’.‘Tachrichim’.

Jewish male is buried wearing a Jewish male is buried wearing a kipah and his own talit (prayer kipah and his own talit (prayer shawl).shawl).

Kipah

Talit

K’riah (during Aninut)K’riah (during Aninut)

K’riah is the tearing of a visible portion of K’riah is the tearing of a visible portion of clothing, such as a pocket or collar, just clothing, such as a pocket or collar, just prior to the funeral service. prior to the funeral service.

The torn garments are worn by mourners The torn garments are worn by mourners for parents, a spouse, children, or siblings for parents, a spouse, children, or siblings who participate in the Shivah, which is a 7-who participate in the Shivah, which is a 7-day mourning period. day mourning period.

Onen (during Aninut)Onen (during Aninut)

Onen is an immediate family member of Onen is an immediate family member of the deceased who is in mourning.the deceased who is in mourning.

They are exempt from the performance of They are exempt from the performance of all affirmative religious obligations all affirmative religious obligations between the time of death and the funeral, between the time of death and the funeral, such as reciting the three daily services.such as reciting the three daily services.

The Onen is forbidden to drink wine, eat The Onen is forbidden to drink wine, eat meat, or indulge in luxuries. meat, or indulge in luxuries.

The Funeral - ServicesThe Funeral - Services

The funeral service may be held in a The funeral service may be held in a synagogue, a funeral home, or at the synagogue, a funeral home, or at the gravesite.gravesite.

Brief and simpleBrief and simple Includes the chanting of Psalms, the ‘Eyl Includes the chanting of Psalms, the ‘Eyl

Malei Rahamim’ (the traditional memorial Malei Rahamim’ (the traditional memorial prayer), and a ‘hesped’ (eulogy) honoring prayer), and a ‘hesped’ (eulogy) honoring the deceased.the deceased.

The CasketThe Casket Is a plain wooden coffin called an ‘Aran’.Is a plain wooden coffin called an ‘Aran’. Used to avoid interference with the natural Used to avoid interference with the natural

process of “returning to the earth”.process of “returning to the earth”. Once the Taharah and dressing in Tachrichim Once the Taharah and dressing in Tachrichim

has been completed, the casket remains closed.has been completed, the casket remains closed. May be covered with a specially prepared cloth May be covered with a specially prepared cloth

called a pall.called a pall. Pallbearers stop seven times while carrying the Pallbearers stop seven times while carrying the

casket to the grave.casket to the grave. The casket is followed by mourners as a means The casket is followed by mourners as a means

of respect.of respect.

BurialBurial

Burial is called K’vurah.Burial is called K’vurah.Casket is lowered into the ground and Casket is lowered into the ground and

covered until a mound of dirt is formed.covered until a mound of dirt is formed.The Kaddish, which is recited at the The Kaddish, which is recited at the

graveside, is a prayer said in memory of graveside, is a prayer said in memory of the dead .the dead .

The Funeral – BurialThe Funeral – Burial

Jewish people bury the dead, and Jewish people bury the dead, and later gather the bones and place later gather the bones and place them in tombs or containers them in tombs or containers called Ossuaries. called Ossuaries.

Practice of gathering bones is Practice of gathering bones is called Ossiligium or “Second called Ossiligium or “Second Burial”. Burial”.

Once the burial is complete, Once the burial is complete, mourners wash their hands before mourners wash their hands before entering the house of mourning.entering the house of mourning.

Ossuaries

Mourning PeriodMourning Period Initial period of mourning is called a ‘Shivah’. Initial period of mourning is called a ‘Shivah’. This is a 7-day period of intensive mourning This is a 7-day period of intensive mourning

observed by the immediate family, beginning on observed by the immediate family, beginning on the day of the burial.the day of the burial.

Mourners are encouraged not to work or attend Mourners are encouraged not to work or attend school. school.

They are also encouraged to attend Shabbat They are also encouraged to attend Shabbat services.services.

During the Shivah mirrors in the homes are During the Shivah mirrors in the homes are covered and a memorial candle is lit.covered and a memorial candle is lit.

Mourners do not wear leather shoes and males Mourners do not wear leather shoes and males do not shave.do not shave.

Mourning Period (continued)Mourning Period (continued)

The mourners recite the Kaddish everyday The mourners recite the Kaddish everyday at the Shaharit, Minha, and Ma’ariv at the Shaharit, Minha, and Ma’ariv services.services.

A minyan is required, which is the required A minyan is required, which is the required amount of ten Jews required for public amount of ten Jews required for public prayerprayer

Mourning Period - ShloshimMourning Period - Shloshim

The first 30 days of mourning are called The first 30 days of mourning are called ‘Shloshim’.‘Shloshim’.

Mourners return to work and activities, yet Mourners return to work and activities, yet are still withdrawn from public are still withdrawn from public entertainment and social activities. entertainment and social activities.

The K’riah (torn garment), is usually worn The K’riah (torn garment), is usually worn during this period.during this period.

Yahrzeit – Anniversary of DeathYahrzeit – Anniversary of Death

The Kaddish (prayer recited by The Kaddish (prayer recited by mourners) is recited each year on mourners) is recited each year on the Hebrew calendar anniversary the Hebrew calendar anniversary of death. of death.

It is customary to light a yahrzeit It is customary to light a yahrzeit candle (lasts 24 hours), to study a candle (lasts 24 hours), to study a portion of the Torah or Mishnah, portion of the Torah or Mishnah, and to donate tzedakah on the and to donate tzedakah on the anniversary. anniversary. Yahrzeit candle

YizkorYizkor

The Yizkor are memorial prayers recited at The Yizkor are memorial prayers recited at synagogue services on the four Jewish synagogue services on the four Jewish holidays in remembrance of the deceased.holidays in remembrance of the deceased.

Recited on Yom Kippur; Sh’mini Atzeret, Recited on Yom Kippur; Sh’mini Atzeret, and the second day of Shavuot. and the second day of Shavuot.

Theological ExplanationsTheological Explanations

Evidence for secondary burial is found in Evidence for secondary burial is found in 2 Samuel 21:13-14. 2 Samuel 21:13-14.

“ “David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up. They buried the bones and exposed were gathered up. They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.”of the land.”

Theological Explanations Theological Explanations (continued)(continued)

Jewish graves are marked Jewish graves are marked with the name of the with the name of the deceased. deceased.

The Torah says that Jacob The Torah says that Jacob set up a maker for Rachel. set up a maker for Rachel.

Genesis 35: 20 “Over her Genesis 35: 20 “Over her tomb, Jacob set up a pillar, tomb, Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day that pillar and to this day that pillar marks Rachel’s tomb.”marks Rachel’s tomb.”