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Home  »  Core Curriculum Course 2

Course 2: Chevrah Kadisha: Taharah and Shmirah

The central elements of Chevrah Kadisha practice include the two important rituals of taharah, preparation of the body for burial; and shmirah, the watching (or “guarding”) of the body between death and burial. This course addresses liturgy, training, safety, and complications. This course examines the Jewish religious significance of what a Chevrah Kadisha does, as we examine the meanings of the rituals associated with taharah and shmirah. Students explore not only the physical and emotional aspects of these rituals, but also delve into the liturgy behind them and how to understand why the liturgy works the way it does. This course provides students with a tremendous amount of detail and useful information to take back to home chevrot and to help students develop a significantly deeper understanding of these sacred tasks.

Topic areas include:

                  • Taharah and shmirah basics, common practices, variations, minhagim
                  • Performing these rituals during a pandemic
                  • Understanding tahor and tamei
                  • Chevrah and taharah leadership
                  • Chevrah policy considerations
                  • Taharah complications
                  • Handling emotional aspects of this work
                  • Liturgy and taharah manuals, mystical foundations, how liturgy works
                  • Tachrichim and Aronot
                  • Health and safety precautions for taharah
                  • Emotional aspects of this work
                  • Taharah and shmirah facilities

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Upcoming Course 2 Schedule

Information Session and Course Overview – was held Sunday, September 19th, 2021

Click here to view the recording of the Information and Overview Zoom Session
Click here to view the chat file from the Information and Overview Zoom Session
Click here to view the closed captions from the Information and Overview Zoom Session
Click here to view the slides from the 2021 Information and Overview Zoom Session

Click here to view the same slides updated for the 2023 Course 2 offering

Next Course 2 Class ScheduleTuesdays,  January 3 – March 21, 2023, 8:00pm – 9:30pm EDT, 5:00pm – 6:30pm PDT

Click Here to Register

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