Shabbat Gathering: About death again.

Gud Shabbos Khaveyrim, as is our custom, we will gather tonight at 5.45p ct to welcome Shabbat. These are the coordinates:

Zoom
Meeting ID: 883 8469 4181
Password: 822665
Phone: +1 312 626 6799

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Here we go.

In my retirement, I’m volunteering more and one of the ways I’m trying to be of service is through my work with the Jewish Burial Association of Madison, which manages Madison’s Jewish cemetery, and our local chevra kaddisha, a group that helps prepare Jews for their funeral. I’m able to do more work for these two groups now that I’m retired.

Madison is blessed with both of these groups. The burial association has done an amazing job of building a cemetery that will meet the needs of our community for many years to come. The chevra kaddisha is a group that prepares the dead for burial. Not every Jew elects to be buried using the services of the chevra kaddisha, but for those who do, the service is indispensable.

Chesed shel emet.

The work of the chevra kaddisha is described as chesed shel emet, the ultimate kindness since the deceased is not able to repay the people who perform the service. The chevra kaddisha isn’t exactly a secret society but it is a very private, intimate service. The group doesn’t do the work for the praise that might accumulate.

The work isn’t for everyone, of course. Some people have very strong feelings about death and being this intimate with it is not for them. I’ve done the work for years now and am ok with it. I’m probably the exception, not the rule.

And that’s about all I want to write about the topic. I respect how some of you might number among those who find this difficult. And you’ll respect how I’m not trying to write this for self-aggrandizement. I’ve written about death before and, in fact, the most read newsletter I’ve ever written for you was on the plans I’m making for my own death, so I know there is some interest in the topic.

If you want to find out more about these traditions, please get in touch with me because I know there are precious few places to turn for more information.

And may it be for all of us a blessing.

See you tonight!

Mit vareme grusn,
(With warm regards,)

All my love,
brian.

PS

What preparing a Jewish body for burial is really like - Jewish Telegraphic Agency

A member of a chevra kadisha feels a calling to do the ritual work.

Jewish Telegraphic AgencyAnonymous

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