Chapter 5: The Taharah[1]
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The Mitzvah of Taharah and its order:[2] It is a Jewish custom dating back many generations to wash, cleanse and prepare the body of the deceased prior to burial. This is formally known as “Taharah” or purification.[3] The Mishneh[4], Talmud and Poskim[5] record the practice of washing the deceased, as well as other customs performed in the Taharah process.[6] [see Halacha 1] Nonetheless, the many details of the Taharah performed today, and its ensuing order, is not recorded in the Talmud, and is not of Biblical or even Rabbinical status.[7] The detailed order of the Taharah is first recorded in the Rishonim.[8] A number of Sefarim[9] record the tradition of Taharah in the name of Hillel Hazakein, who lived in the Mishnaic era, and it is thus known as “Seder Rechitza Hameis MiHillel Hazakein.” At first, this detailed order of the Taharah was only performed on the bodies of men of great caliber and Tzaddikim[10], thus explaining its omission from the Shulchan Aruch and its commentaries. Practically, throughout the generations, the detailed order of Taharah became accepted to be performed on the body of all those who have deceased, and is recorded in various Poskim.[11] Nonetheless, the exact order and details of the Seder Taharah differ from one book to another, and practically every community is to follow their tradition.[12] The widespread custom today is to follow the order written in the Sefer Mavor Yabok.[13]
Not to swerve from any of the traditions:[14] Each and every tradition involved in the Taharah and burial of the deceased is to be strictly followed. Swerving from the community custom can lead to danger for the community.
The spiritual effect of the Taharah:[15] The Jewish custom is to refer to the cleansing process of the deceased as “Taharah/Purity.” The reason for this is because the Taharah effects a spiritual refinement of the soul of the deceased. It cleanses the soul from its attachment to this world, and thus the soul’s knowledge of this world is decreased after the Taharah.
Slow and methodically:[16] The Taharah procedure is to be done slowly and methodically so that the body is pure and clean, similar to how he would prepare himself to go to Shul each Shabbos.
The Seder Taharah for women:[17] The same order of the Taharah that is followed for the body of a man is likewise followed for the body of a woman [with exception to the order of dressing the corpse, as will be explained[18]].
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The Chevra Kadisha-Who are they and what are their responsibilities?[19] It is a Jewish tradition for each and every community to have a group of people which are designated to deal with all the matters relating to the Taharah and burial of the deceased.[20] They are cordially known as the “Chevra Kadisha” or the Holy assembly.
A. The members: Those chosen as part of the Chevra Kadisha are to be men [and women] of peace and good character. They must be Jewish and are to be observant of Torah and mitzvah’s.[21] [Customarily, each of the Chabad Rabbeim were members of the Chevra Kadisha of their city.[22]] Being knowledgeable of the laws: They are to be expert in the laws and customs of the Taharah and review them periodically. Prior to someone joining the Chevra Kadisha, his knowledge is to be tested.
B. Payment for work: It is permitted for the members of the Chevra Kadisha to be paid[23], although the widespread custom is to do so as voluntary work.[24]
C. Precedence in Taharah:[25] The Chevra Kadisha of a city have precedence over anyone else in performing the Taharah.
D. The Chevra Kadisha fast:[26] It is customary for the members[27] of the Chevra Kadisha [both male and female[28]] in each city to choose a day throughout the year to fast and discuss matters relating to burial. [Regarding if the fast falls on Erev Shabbos, see our corresponding Sefer “The Laws and Customs of Erev Shabbos.”] When: The custom of many cities is to fast on the 15th of Kisleiv, and so is the Chabad custom.[29] The custom of Jerusalem, and other cities in Israel, is to fast on the 7th of Adar, which is the Yartzite of Moshe Rabbeinu.[30] [In a leap year, it is done on the 7th of Adar Sheiyni.[31] However, some communities fast in Adar Rishon[32], which is the date that Moshe’s Yartzite is commemorated during a leap year.[33]] Accepting the fast by the Mincha before:[34] The fast is to be accepted from the Mincha of the day before. The Davening:[35] They recite Selichos, Aneinu in Mincha, and Kerias Hatorah in the Davening during this day, if they are a Minyan of people fasting. Topics of discussion: They are to use the day to discuss the Jewish burial laws that require fixing or enhancement, as well as monetary matters relating to their activities and burial plots. Kivrei Tzadikim: They visit Kivrei Tzadikim on this day and ask for forgiveness from the deceased if they did not act with them appropriately. Seudas Mitzvah:[36] After the fast, it is customary to make a large feast for the members of the Chevra Kadisha.
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[1] See Shulchan Aruch 352; Gesher Hachaim 9-11; Darkei Chesed 11-13; Nitei Gavriel Chapter 39-50
[2] See Nitei Gavriel 39:2 footnote 2
[3] See Rama 349:3 “The board on which the Taharah took place”
[4] Mishneh Shabbos 151a
[5] Michaber O.C. 311; Y.D. 352; Admur 311:13; 526:3
[7] Chochmas Adam in Hanhagas Chevra Kadisha 1
[8] Rokeiach 317; Rebbe Yehuda Hachassid, brought in Chochmas Adam ibid
[9] Sefer Tzarei Lanefesh; Mavor Yabok Sifsei Rinanos 17 “Seder Rechitza Hagedola from Hillel Hazakein”; Lechem Hapanim 352:4; Darkei Chesed 11:1 footnote 1; See Gesher Hachaim 9:1
[10] See Shevet Yehuda 352:4; Lechem Hapanim 352; Nitei Gavriel ibid
[11] Lechem Hapanim 352; Chochmas Adam ibid; Kitzur Shu”a 197:2-4
[12] Teshuvah Meahavah 3:410
[13] Mishmeres Shalom Tes 20
[14] Beis Lechem Yehuda 352:2; Tuv Taam Vadas 2:238; Halef Lecha Shlomo 305; Beis Shlomo 2 Y.D. 227; Nitei Gavriel 42:1
[15] Mavor Yabok Sefas Emes 25
[16] Darkei Moshe 352:2; Binyamon Zev 204 in name of Rav Eliezer Halevi
[17] Gesher Hachaim 10:2; Darkei Chesed 12:14; Nitei Gavriel 40:12; 44:19
[18] Darkei Chesed ibid
[19] See Nitei Gavriel Vol. 1 42:1; Vol. 2 97-98
[20] Tashbeitz 3:13
[21] See Sefer Hachaim 311; Kaf Hachaim 311:32; Darkei Chesed 11:1; Nitei Gavriel 40:1 based on Rashal Beitza 1:10; Shevet Yehuda Y.D. 352:4; Nitei Gavriel 40:1
[22] Nitei Gavriel Vol. 2 98
[23] See Tashbeitz 3:13; Chasam Sofer 128
[24] Drashos Chasam Sofer 1:123; Nitei Gavriel 42:5
[25] Elya Raba 153:33, brought in Toras Chaim 5:1 and Nitei Gavriel 42:6
Story with Maggid of Mezritch: After the passing of the Maggid in the city of Anipoli, an argument between the local Chevra Kadisha and the students of the Maggid broke out regarding who will do Taharah. In the end, the Rabbinical court ruled like the Chevra Kadisha, however the Alter Rebbe was allowed to participate since he had experience with the Chevra Kadisha, and was himself a member in his old hometown. They did a lottery to see who would get which part of the body to clean, and the Alter Rebbe received the head of the Maggid. The Alter Rebbe then said that Tzadikim are more alive in their death and thus the Maggid can immerse himself, and so it was that the Maggid lifted himself into the Mikveh and immersed himself three times. [See Beis Rebbe page 10; Sefer Hatoldos of Maggid and Admur volume 1]
[26] See Nitei Gavriel Vol. 2 chapter 97-98
[27] See Yoman of Rav Chadakav that due to that he was a member of the Chevra Kadisha, he once asked the “Ramash” if he is required to fast on the 15th of Kisleiv, especially when it falls on Erev Shabbos, and the Rebbe replied that being that he is only a member of the Chevra Kadisha and is not one of the Gabaim, and hence he has no dealings with the actual burial of the dead, therefore he is not required to fast. The Rebbe then said that he too does not fast, although since he fasted in the past therefore he should do Hataras Nedarim. Seemingly, the only thing they can be learned from this response is that a person who is not actual dealings with the dead, in terms of the burial and Taharah and is only a member on paper, therefore he is not required to fast. However, anyone who deals with the dead, including if they only to the Taharah, then they are to fast
[28] Nitei Gavriel 97:4
[29] Darkei Chesed p. 285; Nitei Gavriel ibid that so was custom of Liozna, Kapust, Russia, Halbershtat, Volozhin, Lita, Shklov, New York,
[30] See Nitei Gavriel Vol. 2 chapter 97 in length
[31] Nitei Gavriel 97:2 and footnote 4 in name of Sefarim
[32] See Nitei Gavriel ibid footnote 4
[33] Magen Avraham 580:8; Teshuvos Mahril 31; Terumos Hadeshen 244; Rama 568:7; Aruch Hashulchan 580:3; Mishneh Berurah 580:15; Orchos Chaim; Likkutei Sichos 16 p. 344 footnote 39: This is the final ruling, as the majority of Jewry lived in their provinces and testified this to be the custom.
Other Opinions: Some Poskim hold that during a leap year Moshe’s Yartzite is to be commemorated on Zayin Adar II. [Chacham Tzevi, brought in Sheilas Yaavetz 1:117; Siddur Yaavetz; Chasam Sofer 163; Vayaan Yitzchak 39].
[34] See Michaber and Rama 562:5; Nitei Gavriel 97:5
[35] See Darkei Chesed p. 285 for the Nussach of Selichos said on this day, and the prayers said upon visiting the cemetery; See Nitei Gavriel 97:3 and 7; Gesher Hachaim p. 352
[36] Nitei Gavriel 97:11a
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