Taharah Demonstration Video
with Extensive Q&A Sections
Featuring Rick Light and members of
the Atlanta Chevra Kadisha
Filmed at the 8th Annual Kavod v’Nichum North American Chevra Kadisha and
Jewish Cemetery Conference
June 6th, 2010, in Atlanta, Georgia
At the 2010 Conference, a taharah demonstration facilitated by Rick Light was filmed. This demo included members of the local Chevra Kadisha who demonstrated actions as Rick spoke. During the demo, Rick refers to a Powerpoint slide show. The video, however, does not capture the detail of the Powerpoint, so it is recommended to open the Powerpoint PDF file separately on your computer or in a different browser window.
Below you will find this demo divided into five video recordings, each approximately 30 minutes in length. The first recording plus half of the second one comprise the demonstration itself. The remainder of Part 2 and Parts 3-5 are the question and answer discussion following the demo.
Password for all videos: gamliel2
Taharah Training Video: Part 1
Taharah Training Video: Part 2
Questions answered in Part 2:
- Fluid flows
- Medical devices
- Showing respect
- False teeth
- Organ and tissue donations
- Autopsy
- Leader’s responsbility
- Discussing issues in advance
- Taharahs for murder victims
- Suicides
- Right to taharah
- Young people participating
- Observers
- Buckets or pitchers
- Halacha (law) vs minhag (tradition)
Taharah Training Video: Part 3
Questions answered in Part 3:
- Tefilah (prayer) translations
Taharah Training Video: Part 4
Questions answered in Part 4:
- Shmirah as a lead-in to taharah
- Distinction between rechitza and taharah
- Egg and vinegar
- Muslim traditions
- Family members watching or participating
- Identification viewing
- Debriefing
- At the head of the meit/ah (deceased)
- Seeing the face after the taharah
- Identification before taharah
- Open caskets
- Taharah for someone being cremated
- Assimilation
- Ethical wills
Taharah Training Video: Part 5
Questions answered in Part 5:
- Non-Jews helping
- Instructing non-Jews
- Standing at the head of the meit/ah
- Facing the body
- Pants vs. robe
- Ripping tachrichim (burial garments)
- Does minhag override halacha
- Taharah for someone well known
- Taharah for someone you know
- Reading the obituary
- Spiritual impact
- Reaction to seeing a dead body
- Making a taharah “not rote”