Preparing for the Final Journey
One of the stories of Passover is how Moshe personally retrieved the bones of Yoseph to bring them for Jewish burial in Israel. The Chevra Kadisha, meaning “Holy Society” in Hebrew, is a group of Jewish volunteers who likewise prepare the deceased for burial according to Jewish law and tradition by performing rituals like taharah (ritual washing) and shmirah (watching over the deceased).
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In Jewish tradition, the tahara ritual is important because it symbolizes the soul’s purification and prepares the body for its final journey, reflecting the belief that the body, like a newborn, enters and leaves this world pure. It also teaches that all people, whether rich or poor, famous or unknown, are equal in the eyes of G-d. The practice of giving everyone the same burial, often involving simple, modest garments (known as tachrichim) and a plain wooden coffin, is a physical manifestation of this belief. It serves as a reminder that in the afterlife, all human distinctions disappear, and every soul stands equally before G-d.
By treating everyone equally in death, Judaism emphasizes that the soul’s journey is what counts, not the temporary circumstances of earthly life. The Chevra Kadisha, with support from the San Antonio Jewish community to the Federation’s annual campaign, is truly a Jewish organization that serves the whole community and is composed of dedicated members from throughout the San Antonio Jewish community who volunteer to carry out these important and meaningful duties often late at night.
There is a story that one day, in a small village where the Ba’al Shem Tov was living, a man passed away unexpectedly. The Ba’al Shem Tov immediately gathered a group of volunteers and demonstrated the proper way to prepare the body for burial, explaining each step of the Tahara process. His loving, patient, and dignified approach to the situation inspired the villagers and they experienced a deep sense of connection to each other and of the holiness of the task at hand. If you are interested in learning more about Jewish burial or serving on the Chevra Kadisha please visit jfsatx.org/chevra-kadisha
Rabbi Avraham Scheinberg
Congregation Rodfei Sholom