Religion has never been very enforced in my home. My mom was raised as a Catholic and my Dad is Jewish. However we celebrate all of the Jewish holidays, so although in the religious aspect I am not very involved, in terms of culture I am very immersed. I decided to do more research on Judaism to give myself a better understanding on ideas about care of the dead. Before I even began my research though I made a mental list of the things I already knew. I understand that tattoos are forbidden if one wants to be buried in a Jewish cemetery, that more or less a person must be buried within in twenty-four hours and that many Jewish people want to be buried in Israel because it is the Holy Land. I thought the best place to start my research would be with the Torah.
It seems as though a common trend associated with most religions is that while we are on earth we are hoping for the approval of g*d. If we follow the steps then most would hope that their afterlife will be what they anticipated. “I will grant peace in the Land so that you will sleep without fear.” (Leviticus 26:3) This portion of the Torah seems to indicate that if one were to obey the rules of g*d he would make sure that in the holy land (afterlife) there will be no fear and no worry.
Although I am not completely aware of embalming people who follow Judaism this part of the Torah seemed as though it could potentially be talking about avoiding that step. “They shall not make bald patches on their heads, nor shall they shave the edge of their beard, nor shall they make cuts in their flesh.” (Leviticus 21:1) Although it doesn’t explicitly say that they are not allowed to tear up their insides after they are gone, it basically is referring to not altering ones self. Which in a sense connects to the whole tattoo aspect… “nor shall they make cuts in their flesh.” This line could be interpreted as though tattoos are making cuts into ones skin and changing a person’s original being.
After viewing the film “A Family Undertaking” it became quite clear to me that the family should be involved in the process more directly. However, in the Jewish religion it seems as though the family wants the person to be buried as soon as possible. “Earth you are, and to earth you will return.” (Genesis 3:19) This made me think that the more time one spends exposed to the world in a deceased body the more the earth is taken away. The fact that a person is literally buried within the ground makes them become one with it. If you are one with the earth than until the earth experiences it’s own death you will stay one with the earth.
Instead of talking to a Rabbi I spoke to someone who although was raised a Catholic is highly interested in Judaism. Her family friend passed away last week and his family practiced Judaism. She attended his funeral and his Shiva, which in English means sitting. She said that at the funeral there were prayers said in Hebrew and words from family spoken in English. She attended a Shiva in his home, a part of the process of caring for the dead, where family and friends can come pay their respects to the loved ones of the deceased. There was no open casket and he wasn't cremated.
I decided my next best step would be to consult with a website called Judaism 101. "In Judaism, death is not a tragedy, even when it occurs early in life or through unfortunate circumstances. Death is a natural process. Our deaths, like our lives, have meaning and are all part of G-d's plan. In addition, we have a firm belief in an afterlife, a world to come, where those who have lived a worthy life will be rewarded." This seemed to relate to what the Torah said, about peace in the Land. "Most communities have an organization to care for the dead, known as the chevra kaddisha (the holy society). These people are volunteers. Their work is considered extremely meritorious, because they are performing a service for someone who can never repay them." This idea seemed sort of odd to me, considering most of what we have been studying is how others benefit from the deceased. This ritual seems as though the person helping feels as though the benefit they will gain is truly from g*d. "The body is not embalmed, and no organs or fluids may be removed." This also related back to how the Torah said, nor shall they make cuts in their flesh. The person who once lived shouldn't be touched or tampered just because they are no longer breathing. "The body must not be cremated. It must be buried in the earth. Coffins are not required, but if they are used, they must have holes drilled in them so the body comes in contact with the earth." This also related back to the Torah, when it mentioned you will return to the earth. Although the Torah doesn't explicitly state what should be done after one is deceased it seems as though people have taken the instructions it does say and interpret them into what it hints at.
Citations:
- "Life, Death and Mourning." Judaism 101. Web. 11 May 2011.
- Torah. Print.
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