tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post1025091130404596676..comments2024-03-18T03:40:39.185-04:00Comments on The Curious Jew: Tahara: The Last KindnessChanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17655144434904957767noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-25222284699669052872012-11-20T21:06:37.836-05:002012-11-20T21:06:37.836-05:00Thank you for conveying the exquisite beauty of th...Thank you for conveying the exquisite beauty of this ritual. I have often wondered about it. I was not able to see my uncle before he died, but knowing that his body was gently prepared to join with the purity of earth comforts me. This is what I will specify in my own burial wishes. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-54428172850334323932007-03-18T21:00:00.000-04:002007-03-18T21:00:00.000-04:00Dear Curious Jew,Thank you for this splendid piece...Dear Curious Jew,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for this splendid piece about the chesed shel emes that a tahara represents. I found it very informative and even more engaging as I thought of my late son Ben Z'L.<BR/><BR/>Thank you. <BR/><BR/>I am, <BR/><BR/>Very Sincerely Yours, <BR/><BR/>Alan D. BuschAlan aka Avrum ben Avrumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12052748301969117668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-55993538910024354082007-03-16T01:02:00.000-04:002007-03-16T01:02:00.000-04:00Taharos are definitely an experience. I myself hav...Taharos are definitely an experience. I myself have attended 2 taharos in my time with the Chevra Kadisha. The first time I was completely freaked out (I was a bit young at the time) and stood off to the side saying the tefillos with an elderly gentleman who couldn't do much else (lack of physical strength, I presume) and was the official tefillah guy while the preparations are made. I held my gaze in an averted fashion the entire time, so all I remember of the meis are trace glimpses of arms and legs.<BR/><BR/>Following that tahara, I basically swore off doing them for a while, feeling as though I lacked the proper maturity to handle them emotionally.<BR/><BR/>The second time I did a tahara was 3 years later, but I made a special effort to attend this one. The man was the OB-GYN who delivered me. I felt as though I had a special obligation to help escort out of this world the man who escorted me in. I actively participated in the tahara process, pouring water over the meis from a large bucket, while reciting "tahara zu." I also helped in the drying and dressing afterward, as well as placing him in the casket.<BR/><BR/>The extreme symbolism isn't lost on me, and I definitely gained from the experience. It IS the ultimate chessed, but one should only become a member of the chevra kadisha and perform taharos when they are ready. <BR/><BR/>I remember a story a friend of mine told me regarding my grandfather, who was the president of the chevra kadisha for many years at my shul. He is a business man and travels frequently. After he moved into town, he met my grandfather and wanted to join the chevra kadisha. He explained that he has to travel a lot for his business, but would like to help whenever he could.<BR/><BR/>My grandfather's response?<BR/><BR/>"You know, We don't exactly schedule appointments for these kind of things."<BR/><BR/>This is very true, as a member of the chevra kadisha - you don't want to have any jobs - and it is wonderful when you don't. But when you do, the sensitivity and kindness exhibited knows no bounds.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-23098311481566946932007-03-15T16:44:00.000-04:002007-03-15T16:44:00.000-04:00Thanks for sharing! now, is this what you decided ...Thanks for sharing! <BR/><BR/>now, is this what you decided to volunteer for??? <BR/><BR/>ahem--you never DID tell us what you decided...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-12455087906235368392007-03-14T18:06:00.000-04:002007-03-14T18:06:00.000-04:00Very moving and informative, Thank you f...Very moving and informative,<BR/> Thank you for sharing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12970718.post-3833531221212183632007-03-14T14:05:00.000-04:002007-03-14T14:05:00.000-04:00Lovely!Lovely!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com