![]() ![]() The shroud has no pockets, because we take nothing with us when we die. All Jews are buried in similar shrouds because in death all are equal. These shrouds, called takhrikhim, are simple white garments without pockets. It is a universal custom for the deceased to be buried in shrouds rather than regular clothing. In such a case, bloodstained sheets or drapes are interred with the deceased if there is any possibility that the bleeding was posthumous (Shulchan Arukh, Yoreh Deah 364:4). Individuals who die during surgery, however, may be cleansed with a full tohorah. If the body is very badly mutilated-for example, if someone dies in a traumatic accident-the deceased individual should be placed in the casket in his or her bloodstained clothing without a full tohorah.Ī rabbi or an expert should be consulted in such matters. It should, however, only be undertaken by Jews who are trained to serve as members of a ḥevra kaddisha. Many non-denominational homes have the proper facilities for the performance of the ritual. The tohorah procedure need not be done at a Jewish funeral home. The body is treated with extreme dignity and respect and, indeed, among the most essential elements in the training of a ḥevra kaddisha is instruction in the best way to preserve the dignity due the deceased. (The more common pronunciation is taharah.) The entire body is washed with the prescribed quantity of water while certain appropriate prayers are recited. The actual ritual of cleansing the body is called tohorah, purification. ![]() The washing and purifying of the body is done by members of a ḥevra kaddisha, a Jewish burial society. This act is the most important part of readying the body for burial and should be undertaken as soon as possible after death. An essential element of reverence for the dead is the rite of ritual purification. ![]()
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