As Adar Rishon comes to a close and Adar Sheni arrives, plans are in motion for the Chevra Kadisha of Bergen County Zayin Adar Seuda. As many people know, Moshe Rabeinu was born and died on Zayin Adar. We learn that Hashem himself prepared Moshe’s body for burial, acting as the chevra kadisha. This is why Zayin Adar was chosen as a day for chevra kadisha members around the world to gather together. Many spend the day fasting and reflecting on the previous year. Similar to the Yom Kippur fast, they fast for kapara (atonement) for anything they may have done that was disrespectful to the bodies they cared for.
The Chevra Kadisha of Bergen County Zayin Adar Seuda will take place this year on Sunday, March 17, at Congregation Beth Abraham. Mincha, with a special kriat haTorah, will take place at 6:35 p.m. Rabbi Neil Turk, mashgiach, Semikha Program at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Society, will speak between Mincha and Maariv, which will follow at 7:48 p.m. The seuda will follow and Rabbi Tanchum Cohen, assistant rabbi at Beth Abraham, will speak between 8:15 and 8:30 p.m.
Regardless of where in the world you live, your community will have a chevra kadisha. In some communities, it’s specific to your shul and its members. In other communities, it may be a communal chevra regardless of which shul you belong to. Teaneck and Bergenfield have a joint chevra which consists of Beth Aaron, Beth Abraham, Bnai Yeshurun, Rinat Yisrael, Keter Torah and the Young Israel of Teaneck.
The chevra kadisha members are the ones who escort a meis (deceased individual) and prepare them for burial. They do so through a ritual cleansing (tahara) and then dress the body in the required ritual garments (tachrichim). Throughout the preparation (men prepare men, women prepare women) they strive to show the meis the utmost dignity and respect.
Preparing a body for burial is known as chesed shel emet (ultimate kindness) as it is done in anonymity with no expected thank you in return. Most of the time these men and women don’t even discuss the work that they do. However, once a year they gather together, in part to remember those who passed away during the previous year. Each year a different synagogue hosts the seuda.
Since 2020 but unrelated to covid, the Chevra Kadisha of Bergen County has become more involved in the immediate needs following death. According to some members who assist with end-of-life decisions, “People don’t think about death and burial until they have to. People plan a wedding in six months, deliberating all the different options and yet, for a funeral, they oftentimes spend around six minutes. Despite the limited time available, it’s important for families to know they have options and that their first call should be to their rabbi or their shul’s chevra kadisha. The rabbis and the heads of the chevrei kadisha are available to answer questions the family may have and to take care of the meis when the time comes. Bergen County Chevra Kadisha even has its own vehicle, stretcher and equipment, allowing them to pick up a meis and perform the tahara in the most appropriate fashion at local funeral homes.”
While the seuda is primarily for chevra kadisha members, anyone is welcome to attend. The minimum donation is $25. Anyone who wishes to support the efforts of the chevra kadisha should donate to their specific shul’s chevra.
To find out more about Chevra Kadisha of Bergen County or to register for the seuda, email [email protected].
