Taharah Training Procedures for Jewish Burial Preparation

Taharah

Taharah

 Training

 Training

Prepared by Rick Light

For the

Kavod v

’

Nichum

North American Chevrah Kadisha

and Jewish Cemetery Conferences

First presented in June 2006

Revised May 2016

General Outline

General Outline



Preparation procedures.



Washing the 

meit(ah) 

– Physical cleansing.



Taharah

 – Spiritual cleansing.



Dressing the 

meit(ah)

.



Placing the 

meit(ah) 

into the 

aron

.



Cleaning up.



Debriefing.

2

Disclaimer

Disclaimer



The procedures used by 

The procedures used by 

Chevrah Kadisha 

Chevrah Kadisha 

groups to prepare

groups to prepare

Jewish bodies for burial are largely 

Jewish bodies for burial are largely 

minhag

minhag

 – local customs

 – local customs

passed down from generation to generation.

passed down from generation to generation.



Some organizations may use different procedures from those

Some organizations may use different procedures from those

presented here.

presented here.



What is presented here is an amalgam of the most common

What is presented here is an amalgam of the most common

procedures among a variety of 

procedures among a variety of 

chevrah

chevrah

 groups.

 groups.

3

Reference Manuals

Reference Manuals



Each 

Chevrah Kadisha 

should maintain or prepare a

manual of its procedures.  This:

•

Ensures consistency of quality.

•

Preserves community customs.

•

Makes training more consistent.

•

Facilitates communication.



A partial list of reference manuals is given at the end

A partial list of reference manuals is given at the end

of this presentation.

of this presentation.

4

Glossary

Glossary



Afar

Afar

 – earth from Israel placed into the casket and on the 

 – earth from Israel placed into the casket and on the 

meit(ah)

meit(ah)

.

.



Aron

Aron

 – the casket.  Jewish custom suggests the casket be made of plain wood,

 – the casket.  Jewish custom suggests the casket be made of plain wood,

without metal, and be minimally adorned.

without metal, and be minimally adorned.



Chevrah Kadisha 

Chevrah Kadisha 

– lit. 

– lit. 

Holy 

Holy 

Fellowship, the 

Fellowship, the 

“

“

Jewish Burial Society

Jewish Burial Society

”

”

 responsible for

 responsible for

properly preparing Jewish bodies for burial.  It is customary for this group to work

properly preparing Jewish bodies for burial.  It is customary for this group to work

anonymously within the community performing 

anonymously within the community performing 

Tahara

Tahara

 rituals when needed.

 rituals when needed.



Dom

Dom

 – blood.

 – blood.



K

K

’

’

vod hameit 

vod hameit 

– honoring (showing respect for) the dead.

– honoring (showing respect for) the dead.



Meit

Meit

 – a deceased man.

 – a deceased man.



Meitah

Meitah

 – a deceased woman.

 – a deceased woman.



Sovev 

Sovev 

– sheet placed into the casket, wrapped around the 

– sheet placed into the casket, wrapped around the 

meit(ah)

meit(ah)

.

.

5

Glossary Continued

Glossary Continued



Tachrichim

Tachrichim

 – burial shrouds, specifically the clothes (usually plain linen or

 – burial shrouds, specifically the clothes (usually plain linen or

muslin) intended to represent the attire of the High Priest, as follows:

muslin) intended to represent the attire of the High Priest, as follows:

•

Mitsnefet

Mitsnefet

 –  a full-head-covering (including face) for a man, bonnet for a woman.

 –  a full-head-covering (including face) for a man, bonnet for a woman.

•

Michnasayim

Michnasayim

 –  trousers with a tie at the waist and often the legs are sewn shut

 –  trousers with a tie at the waist and often the legs are sewn shut

at the feet.

at the feet.

•

K

K

’

’

tonet

tonet

 –  long-sleeve shirt with no collar, with tie at neck.

 –  long-sleeve shirt with no collar, with tie at neck.

•

Kittel

Kittel

 – long-sleeve robe or jacket with collar, with tie at neck.

 – long-sleeve robe or jacket with collar, with tie at neck.

•

Avnet

Avnet

 or 

 or 

Gartle

Gartle

 –  simple linen strap used as a belt.

 –  simple linen strap used as a belt.

•

Apron – simple apron of linen

Apron – simple apron of linen



Taharah

Taharah

 –  the ritual cleansing of the deceased to provide spiritual

 –  the ritual cleansing of the deceased to provide spiritual

cleansing before burial.  Sometimes used to mean the entire process of the

cleansing before burial.  Sometimes used to mean the entire process of the

physical and spiritual washing of the 

physical and spiritual washing of the 

meit(ah)

meit(ah)

, the dressing in 

, the dressing in 

tachrichim

tachrichim

,

,

and the placing of it into the casket.

and the placing of it into the casket.

6

Preparation

Preparation



Pre-briefing

Pre-briefing

:  assign tasks, clarify assignments, review

:  assign tasks, clarify assignments, review

rules, be sure team is emotionally prepared:

rules, be sure team is emotionally prepared:

•

Who is the leader? – single person in charge.

Who is the leader? – single person in charge.

•

Who is/are the reader(s) – designated person(s) or everyone.

Who is/are the reader(s) – designated person(s) or everyone.

•

Who will organize the shrouds (

Who will organize the shrouds (

tachrichim

tachrichim

)?

)?

•

Who will organize the casket (

Who will organize the casket (

aron

aron

)?

)?

•

Who will organize the supplies, buckets, equipment?

Who will organize the supplies, buckets, equipment?

•

Divide these tasks among the 

Divide these tasks among the 

Tahara

Tahara

 team as appropriate.

 team as appropriate.

•

Is everyone emotionally OK to do this?

Is everyone emotionally OK to do this?



Everyone participating should know what is expected.

Everyone participating should know what is expected.



Leader directs all activities, makes all decisions.

Leader directs all activities, makes all decisions.



Leader should have advisor available if needed.

Leader should have advisor available if needed.

7

Preparation Continued

Preparation Continued



Some thoughts on reader responsibilities:

•

All readings should be read carefully and clearly aloud.

•

Some groups have the entire team read together in unison.

•

Some groups memorize the readings ahead of time.

•

Can be read in Hebrew, or English, or both (simultaneously,

Hebrew chanted softly, English read aloud).

•

Should be read such that the 

Taharah

 team understands what is

being read.

•

Should be read with 

kavanah

 (sincerity and intent to honor the

dead).

8

Preparation Continued

Preparation Continued



Basic rules of 

Basic rules of 

k

k

’

’

vod hameit 

vod hameit 

(honoring the dead):

(honoring the dead):

•

Assume an attitude of respect for the dignity of the dead.

Assume an attitude of respect for the dignity of the dead.

•

Always refer to the 

Always refer to the 

meit(ah) 

meit(ah) 

by his/her name.

by his/her name.

•

No unnecessary conversation.

No unnecessary conversation.

•

Do not stand at head of 

Do not stand at head of 

meit(ah) 

meit(ah) 

except when necessary.

except when necessary.

•

Pass nothing over the body of the 

Pass nothing over the body of the 

meit(ah)

meit(ah)

.

.

•

Follow directions of the leader, disagreements should be

Follow directions of the leader, disagreements should be

resolved later (after completion of the 

resolved later (after completion of the 

Taharah

Taharah

).

).

•

Details of 

Details of 

Taharah

Taharah

 events are confidential to the team.

 events are confidential to the team.

9

Preparation Continued

Preparation Continued



Entire team states intentions and asks for guidance

Entire team states intentions and asks for guidance

before entering 

before entering 

Taharah

Taharah

 room:

 room:

•

“

“

Source of kindness and compassion, … grant us the

Source of kindness and compassion, … grant us the

courage and the strength to properly perform this work, …

courage and the strength to properly perform this work, …

guide our hands and hearts … help us to see Your holiness in

guide our hands and hearts … help us to see Your holiness in

the face of the deceased and in the faces of each other …

the face of the deceased and in the faces of each other …

”

”

10

Preparation Continued

Preparation Continued



Enter 

Enter 

Taharah

Taharah

 room in silence, set things up:

 room in silence, set things up:

•

Some groups light a candle.

Some groups light a candle.

•

Don personal protective clothing, ritually wash hands, double

Don personal protective clothing, ritually wash hands, double

glove.

glove.

•

Fill 2 containers for physical washing (warm water).

Fill 2 containers for physical washing (warm water).

•

Organize shrouds (

Organize shrouds (

tachrichim

tachrichim

). 

). 

[details later in this presentation]

[details later in this presentation]

•

Organize casket (

Organize casket (

aron

aron

). 

). 

[details later in this presentation]

[details later in this presentation]

•

Organize supplies so tools are at hand.

Organize supplies so tools are at hand.

•

Remove all clothing, hospital gowns, tags, medical apparatus, etc.

Remove all clothing, hospital gowns, tags, medical apparatus, etc.

The 

The 

meit(ah) 

meit(ah) 

should be naked under clean sheet.  Save jewelry,

should be naked under clean sheet.  Save jewelry,

hearing aids in bag for funeral director.  Do not remove false

hearing aids in bag for funeral director.  Do not remove false

teeth or contact lenses. Put name tags in casket.

teeth or contact lenses. Put name tags in casket.

11

A Note About the Candle

A Note About the Candle



Some 

Some 

chevrot

chevrot

 light a candle when they enter the 

 light a candle when they enter the 

Taharah

Taharah

room:

room:

•

It stays lit during the entire process.

It stays lit during the entire process.

•

It then is placed at the head of the 

It then is placed at the head of the 

aron

aron

 upon completion of

 upon completion of

the procedures.

the procedures.



This is done for several reasons:

This is done for several reasons:

•

Reminds everyone of the holiness of life and death.

Reminds everyone of the holiness of life and death.

•

Represents the life of the deceased.

Represents the life of the deceased.

•

In remote or unusual circumstances, it can act as 

In remote or unusual circumstances, it can act as 

shomer

shomer

 until

 until

burial.

burial.

•

Reminds the funeral home personnel in non-Jewish funeral

Reminds the funeral home personnel in non-Jewish funeral

homes that this is a Jewish burial.

homes that this is a Jewish burial.

12

Washing the 

Washing the 

Meit(ah)

Meit(ah)



Some thoughts about respect:

Some thoughts about respect:

•

The 

The 

meit(ah) 

meit(ah) 

is covered with sheet at all times except

is covered with sheet at all times except

during rinsing and the 

during rinsing and the 

Taharah

Taharah

 itself.

 itself.

•

Uncover only small portions of body at any one time.

Uncover only small portions of body at any one time.

•

Speak softly and only when necessary.

Speak softly and only when necessary.

•

Clean the body gently.

Clean the body gently.

•

Most important thing:

Most important thing:

•

Have intentions of kindness, dignity, and respect toward

Have intentions of kindness, dignity, and respect toward

the 

the 

meit(ah)

meit(ah)

.

.

13

Washing the 

Washing the 

Meit(ah) 

Meit(ah) 

Continued

Continued



Say 

Say 

Chamol.

Chamol.



Say 

Say 

Vaya

Vaya

’

’

an Vayomer 

an Vayomer 

while clothing is cut off.

while clothing is cut off.



Place clean dry sheet over naked body.

Place clean dry sheet over naked body.



Cleanse entire body:

Cleanse entire body:



head, right side, left side, front, back.

head, right side, left side, front, back.



Use warm water, be gentle, be thorough.

Use warm water, be gentle, be thorough.



Collect any blood, fingernail clippings, or hair in bag that

Collect any blood, fingernail clippings, or hair in bag that

goes into 

goes into 

aron

aron

.

.

14

Washing the 

Washing the 

Meit(ah) 

Meit(ah) 

Continued

Continued



As body is washed, recite:

As body is washed, recite:

•

Hinakh Yaffah

Hinakh Yaffah

(for a woman),

(for a woman),

 or

 or

•

Rosho Ketem Paz

Rosho Ketem Paz

(for a man, and sometimes for a woman).

(for a man, and sometimes for a woman).



Some have custom to rinse entire body after washing:

Some have custom to rinse entire body after washing:

•

Turn body, pour entire length of right side.

Turn body, pour entire length of right side.

•

Turn body, pour entire length of left side.

Turn body, pour entire length of left side.

•

Pour entire length of front.

Pour entire length of front.



Dry body and table.

Dry body and table.



Cover body with clean dry sheet.

Cover body with clean dry sheet.



Discard gloves; wash hands again, reglove.

Discard gloves; wash hands again, reglove.

15

The Ritual of 

The Ritual of 

Taharah

Taharah



Fill containers with 24 quarts of cold water 

Fill containers with 24 quarts of cold water 

(eg., 3 buckets of 8

(eg., 3 buckets of 8

quarts each – need 9 

quarts each – need 9 

kavim

kavim

 of water)

 of water)

.

.



Dip boards in bucket water, place under 

Dip boards in bucket water, place under 

meit(ah)

meit(ah)

.

.



Recite 

Recite 

Amar Rabbi Akiva.

Amar Rabbi Akiva.



Some groups have canopy 

Some groups have canopy 

minhag

minhag

 – clean sheet becomes

 – clean sheet becomes

chupah

chupah

 over the 

 over the 

meit(ah) 

meit(ah) 

during pouring

during pouring

.

.

•

Those holding sheet face away from the 

Those holding sheet face away from the 

meit(ah)

meit(ah)

.

.

•

Best to have at least 4 (sometimes 5 or more) team members

Best to have at least 4 (sometimes 5 or more) team members

present.

present.



Uncover 

Uncover 

meit(ah)

meit(ah)

, then pour water in continuous flow of

, then pour water in continuous flow of

24 quarts (simulate a running mountain stream):

24 quarts (simulate a running mountain stream):

•

As one bucket completes its flow the next is started.

As one bucket completes its flow the next is started.

•

Pour right side first, then left, then center.

Pour right side first, then left, then center.

•

Start at head, pour entire length of body.

Start at head, pour entire length of body.

•

There are 

There are 

minhag

minhag

 variations to this.

 variations to this.

16

Taharah

Taharah

 Continued

 Continued



While pouring occurs, all team members recite:

While pouring occurs, all team members recite:

•

For a Woman: “she is pure” 

For a Woman: “she is pure” 

 Tehora hee, tehora hee, tehora hee

 Tehora hee, tehora hee, tehora hee

.

.

•

For a Man: “he is pure” 

For a Man: “he is pure” 

 Tahor hu, tahor hu, tahor hu

 Tahor hu, tahor hu, tahor hu

.

.



If there is a break in the flow, refill and repeat pouring.

If there is a break in the flow, refill and repeat pouring.



Lower canopy sheet onto body, or cover body with clean

Lower canopy sheet onto body, or cover body with clean

sheet immediately after pouring is completed.

sheet immediately after pouring is completed.



Dry the 

Dry the 

meit(ah) 

meit(ah) 

and table thoroughly, cover with clean

and table thoroughly, cover with clean

dry sheet.  Use different towels for body and table.

dry sheet.  Use different towels for body and table.



Remove boards, set aside for cleaning later.

Remove boards, set aside for cleaning later.

17

Dressing the 

Dressing the 

Meit(ah)

Meit(ah)



Dressing basics:

Dressing basics:

•

In death all are equal to the 

In death all are equal to the 

Kohen Gadol

Kohen Gadol

, the High Priest.

, the High Priest.



Therefore, we dress everyone in 

Therefore, we dress everyone in 

tachrichim

tachrichim

 identically.

 identically.

•

Shrouds (

Shrouds (

tachrichim

tachrichim

) should be laid out ahead of time in the

) should be laid out ahead of time in the

order needed to facilitate this process.

order needed to facilitate this process.

•

Carefully support head at all times during dressing.

Carefully support head at all times during dressing.

•

Team members on opposite sides of table work together in

Team members on opposite sides of table work together in

dressing and knot tying .

dressing and knot tying .



Recite 

Recite 

Sos Assis.

Sos Assis.

18

Dressing the 

Dressing the 

Meit(ah) 

Meit(ah) 

Continued

Continued



Order of dressing:

Order of dressing:

Keep face covered with small cloth until head covering later.

Keep face covered with small cloth until head covering later.

1.

K

K

’

’

tonet 

tonet 

(collarless shirt)

(collarless shirt)



Recite 

Recite 

…you shall wear a holy tunic…

…you shall wear a holy tunic…



Tie knot at neck.

Tie knot at neck.

2.

Mikhnasayim

Mikhnasayim

 (pants)

 (pants)



Recite 

Recite 

…and linen breeches shall be on your flesh…

…and linen breeches shall be on your flesh…



Tie knots at waist and ankles (man) or below knees (woman).

Tie knots at waist and ankles (man) or below knees (woman).

3.

Kittle

Kittle

 (jacket with collar)

 (jacket with collar)



Tie knot at neck.

Tie knot at neck.

19

Dressing the 

Dressing the 

Meit(ah) 

Meit(ah) 

Continued

Continued



Order of dressing continued:

Order of dressing continued:

4.

Avnet / gartel 

Avnet / gartel 

(belt)

(belt)



Recite 

Recite 

…and a linen sash shall you tie…

…and a linen sash shall you tie…



Tie knot at waist.

Tie knot at waist.



Tuck cut-off 

Tuck cut-off 

tzitzit

tzitzit

 into the belt (if 

 into the belt (if 

tallit

tallit

 is present)

 is present)

5.

Cover the head:

Cover the head:



For a woman

For a woman

: place on the veil, then 

: place on the veil, then 

mitznefet

mitznefet

 (bonnet)

 (bonnet)

•

Recite 

Recite 

…and a linen headdress shall you don…

…and a linen headdress shall you don…



For a man

For a man

: place on a 

: place on a 

kipah

kipah

, then 

, then 

mitznefet

mitznefet

 (hood)

 (hood)

•

Recite 

Recite 

…and a linen headdress shall you don…

…and a linen headdress shall you don…

20

Dressing the 

Dressing the 

Meit(ah) 

Meit(ah) 

Continued

Continued



Knots are important part of dressing the 

Knots are important part of dressing the 

meit(ah)

meit(ah)

.

.



Two people work together to twist, then one ties the

Two people work together to twist, then one ties the

knot, as appropriate.

knot, as appropriate.

•

Count aloud 

Count aloud 

alef, bet, gimel, dalet 

alef, bet, gimel, dalet 

delineating 4 twists.

delineating 4 twists.



The following diagrams show how this is done.

The following diagrams show how this is done.

21

Starting Position for Knot Tying

Starting Position for Knot Tying

22

Twisting is Done By 2 People: Aleph

Twisting is Done By 2 People: Aleph

23

End of Twisting

End of Twisting

24

First Step in Tying Loops

First Step in Tying Loops

25

Second Step in Tying Loops

Second Step in Tying Loops

26

Final Step in Tying Loops

Final Step in Tying Loops

27

Finished Knots: 

Finished Knots: 

Shin

Shin

28

Finished Knots: 

Finished Knots: 

Shadai

Shadai

29

Moving into the 

Moving into the 

Aron

Aron



Casket (

Casket (

aron

aron

) should be prepared ahead of time, but if

) should be prepared ahead of time, but if

necessary do this now:

necessary do this now:

•

Remove all fancy innards, some leave a little straw for pillow.

Remove all fancy innards, some leave a little straw for pillow.

•

Drill holes in bottom (if possible, do outside of 

Drill holes in bottom (if possible, do outside of 

Tahara

Tahara

 room);

 room);

check with funeral home and Rabbi before drilling.

check with funeral home and Rabbi before drilling.

•

Sovev

Sovev

 (sheet) should be diagonally draped across 

 (sheet) should be diagonally draped across 

aron

aron

.

.

•

Tallit

Tallit

 should be draped in place ready to wrap shoulders

 should be draped in place ready to wrap shoulders

(with one 

(with one 

tzitzit

tzitzit

 removed).

 removed).

•

Afar

Afar

 (Israeli earth) should be sprinkled inside.

 (Israeli earth) should be sprinkled inside.



Recite 

Recite 

Vehu Rahum.

Vehu Rahum.



Place pillow sack with straw and 

Place pillow sack with straw and 

afar

afar

 inside into 

 inside into 

aron

aron

.

.

30

Moving into the 

Moving into the 

Aron

Aron

 Continued

 Continued



Move body respectfully into 

Move body respectfully into 

aron

aron

, laying 

, laying 

meit(ah) 

meit(ah) 

gently onto

gently onto

sovev

sovev

.

.

•

If room allows, place 

If room allows, place 

aron

aron

 at foot of table, lift from both sides of table,

 at foot of table, lift from both sides of table,

walk to 

walk to 

aron

aron

 and lower 

 and lower 

meit(ah) 

meit(ah) 

into 

into 

aron

aron

.

.

•

Alternatively, place 

Alternatively, place 

aron

aron

 next to table, parallel to it, lift from side of

 next to table, parallel to it, lift from side of

table and from across 

table and from across 

aron

aron

, gently move body into 

, gently move body into 

aron

aron

.

.

•

Some funeral homes have hydraulic lifts that can easily lift the body.

Some funeral homes have hydraulic lifts that can easily lift the body.



Always support the head during the move.

Always support the head during the move.



Recite 

Recite 

Velo Yavo

Velo Yavo

’

’

u.

u.



Sprinkle 

Sprinkle 

afar

afar

 on eyes, mouth, genitals, heart.

 on eyes, mouth, genitals, heart.



Recite 

Recite 

Vekhiper Admato Ano.

Vekhiper Admato Ano.

31

Moving into the 

Moving into the 

Aron

Aron

 Continued

 Continued



Place pottery shards (

Place pottery shards (

sherbloch

sherbloch

) over eyes and mouth.

) over eyes and mouth.



Wrap 

Wrap 

tallit

tallit

 over shoulders.

 over shoulders.



Wrap 

Wrap 

sovev

sovev

 around 

 around 

meit(ah)

meit(ah)

.

.

•

feet, right side, left side, head

feet, right side, left side, head



Recite 

Recite 

Hinei Mitato.

Hinei Mitato.



Entire team asks 

Entire team asks 

meit(ah) 

meit(ah) 

for forgiveness for any

for forgiveness for any

disrespect during this procedure.

disrespect during this procedure.



Place lid on 

Place lid on 

aron

aron

; some place the lit candle on lid.

; some place the lit candle on lid.



Recite 

Recite 

Uvinsoa Hamishkan.

Uvinsoa Hamishkan.



Wheel 

Wheel 

aron

aron

 (feet first) into area where 

 (feet first) into area where 

shmirah

shmirah

 can

 can

continue.

continue.

32

Cleaning Up

Cleaning Up



Team restores order to 

Team restores order to 

Taharah

Taharah

 room.

 room.



Wash and dry boards placed under 

Wash and dry boards placed under 

meit(ah)

meit(ah)

.

.



Clean and put away supplies.

Clean and put away supplies.



Place dirty laundry into appropriate container.

Place dirty laundry into appropriate container.



Dispose of biohazard materials appropriately.

Dispose of biohazard materials appropriately.



Remove gloves, smocks.

Remove gloves, smocks.



Wash hands ritually, then with soap/hot water.

Wash hands ritually, then with soap/hot water.

33

Debriefing

Debriefing



Participation in 

Taharah

 is among the most powerful of

human experiences.



Intense feelings and reactions are common.



Very important to support each other and set aside time

to address and honor these.

•

Immediately after 

Taharah

, team should discuss feelings.

•

Leader should follow up if team members have issues.



Confidentiality and sacred space awareness is essential,

as is anonymity of those participating.

34

Handling Difficult Situations

Handling Difficult Situations



Some 

Some 

Taharot

Taharot

 require special effort:

 require special effort:

•

Infectious diseases, must assume the worst. If funeral home

Infectious diseases, must assume the worst. If funeral home

gives specific instructions, follow them.

gives specific instructions, follow them.

•

Violent death – sometimes ritual 

Violent death – sometimes ritual 

Taharah

Taharah

 cannot be

 cannot be

performed, or the 

performed, or the 

meit(ah) 

meit(ah) 

cannot be dressed as usual.

cannot be dressed as usual.

Wash as best you can, pour as best you can, lay 

Wash as best you can, pour as best you can, lay 

tachrichim

tachrichim

on the body if you cannot dress it.

on the body if you cannot dress it.

•

Body wastes and excretions.

Body wastes and excretions.

•

Fluid flows that are difficult to stop.

Fluid flows that are difficult to stop.

•

Removal/handling of various medical items attached to the

Removal/handling of various medical items attached to the

body.

body.



Leader must decide on the spot how to handle these

Leader must decide on the spot how to handle these

situations.

situations.

35

Reference Manuals



Epstein, Mosha. 

Tahara Manual of Practices Including Halacha

Decisions of Hagaon Harav Moshe Feinstein, zt’l. 

Bridgeport, CT:

3

rd

 Edition, 2005. 

(Available From Kavod v'Nichum)



Kelman, Stuart, and Fendel, Dan. 

Chesed Shel Emet, The Truest

Act of Kindness. 

EKS Publishing, Albany, CA: 3

rd

 Edition, 2013.



Light, Richard A. 

To Midwife A Soul,

Guidelines for Performing

Tahara. 

Santa Fe, NM: 5

th

 Edition, 2016.



Light, Richard A. 

Final Kindness: Honoring K’rovei Yisrael,

Burial Preparation of Non-Jews Who Are Part of the Jewish

Community.

 Santa Fe, NM: 2013.



Sandler-Philips, Regina. 

PSJC Hevra Kadisha Tahara Manual.

Park Slope Jewish Center, Brooklyn, NY: 2

nd

 Edition, 2009.

36

Reference Manuals Continued



Schlingenbaum, Yechezkel. 

Tahara Guide

. New Haven Chevra

Kadisha, New Haven, CT: 1993.

Also of interest:



Berman, Rochel U. 

Dignity Beyond Death, The Jewish

Preparation for Burial.

 Urim Publications, Jerusalem: 2005.



Light, Richard A. 

Jewish Rites of Death, Stories of Beauty and

Transformation

. Terra Nova Books, Santa Fe, NM: 2016.

37

Questions?

38