FSE 101 Jewish Funeral Rite Terms

Chevrah Kadisha

"Burial Society." Holy Brotherhood of men or women from a synagogue, or referred to as "washers" by laymen.

Reform(liberal) Judaism

Embalming ok, family wishes for clothing and services

Ark

Focal point of service in a synagogue or temple, the receptacle of the Torah (written law). It may be portable or an opening in a wall

Leyava

Funeral cortage

Reform (liberal)

Funeral home, synagogue, or residence of deceased.

Kriah

Hebrew for rending or tearing; a symbol of grief, a tear in the upper corner of the garment or on a symbolic ribbon

Haskava

Laying Down

Processions Rabbi

May stop casket bearers 7 times to pray

Tachrichim for men

Mitznefes-a headdress Michnasayim- trousers with closed feet K'sones- shirt with sleeves Kittel- robe with collar and sleeves Avnet/Gartel - sash Tallis- prayer shawl Sovev- linen bag

Leaving gravesite

Mourners wash hand 3 times, right hand first and air dried.

Tehiyyath Hamathem

Resurrection of the dead

Shivah

Seven days of mourning following the burial

El Molei Rachamin

Sometimes referred to as the Molei. Means, "God full of compassion," usually the last prayer of the funeral service.

Soul

Source of life (Nefresh, Neshamah, Rucah)

No removals (sabbath)

Sunday Friday to sundown Saturday

Shabbat

The Jewish Sabbath, which begins at sundown Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday

Yarhzeit (Mahzeit)

The anniversary of a death

Torah

The book of law, instruction and learning

Taharah

The ceremony performed by the Chevra Kaddisha of washing the deceased before the burial; serves as a ritual purification or cleansing of the body

Kever

The grave

Judaism

The monotheistic religion of the Jewish people

Bimah

The portion of the synagogue or temple raised above the congregation seating.

Yamaka (Yarmulke, Kippah)

The skull cap worn by men at temple services and funeral services

Sholoshim

The thirty day mourning period in the Jewish faith

Shomer

The watcher (sitter) who remains with the body until the burial

Bet Olan

To bury; (Bais Olam, Bet Almin) everlasting home, graveyard or burial grounds.

Daven

To pray

Unveiling

Tombstone consecration usually done a year and one day (following the Hebrew calendar) following a death

Kabbala

Tradition

Eternal light

Traditionally an oil lamp

Gilgul Hanefesh

Transmigration of the soul

No embalming

Unless civil law requires and all blood is placed into containers to be placed in casket

Olam Haba

World to come

Yarhzeit Candle

A candle burned for 24 hours on the anniversary of a death

Bat Minen

A deceased female

Bar Minen

A deceased male

Hesped

A eulogy. A true evaluation of an individuals life sanctioned by Jewish tradition as part of the funeral service

Tomb

A general term designating those places suitable for the reception of a dead human body

Tachrichim

A hand-sewn white linen shroud in which the deceased members of the Jewish faith are dressed

Mogen David (The Star of David)

A hexagram formed by the combination of two triangles, symbolizing new hope for the Jewish people

Seudat

A meal of consolation

Yizkor

A memorial service recited four times a year

Pho Nikbar

A monument inscription

Avelim

A mourner; (Abel, Avel, Ovel) The nearest of seven blood relatives; father, mother, husband, wife, son or daughter, brother and sister.

Kaddish

A prayer recited for the deceased by the direct mourners (immediate family) for the first time at the conclusion of the interment service. It is recited by children for their parents at every service for eleven months

Tallith

A prayer shawl worn by he Orthodox Jewish men during the morning prayer service

Minyan

A quorum of ten men over the age of 13

Temple

A religious building of the Reform and Conservative Jewish faith

Cantor

A religious singer who assists the rabbi

Shivah Candle

A special candle, which is burned during the seven days of mourning

Rabbi

A teacher or ordained leader in the Jewish faith

Ner Tamid

A traditional oil lamp

Shalom

A word of many meanings: Good morning, peace, hello, goodbye, love, until tomorrow, farewell

Tachrichim

Bonnet- covering for the hair Michnasayim- pants with closed feet K'Sones- blouse Kittle- long robe Gartel- sash Sovev- a linen sheet

Kevurah

Burial

Bais Hakevorous

Burial grounds

Menorah

Candelabrum with a central stem bearing seven candles, it's the oldest symbol in Judaism

Nftar

Deceased

Aron

Hebrew meaning "container". A coffin or casket made entirely of wood and containing no metal parts

Synagogue

Orthodox Jewish religious building

Alar Hashalom

Phrase used

Alehaw Hashalom

Phrase used after the name of a departed female meaning, "Peace upon her"

Ala Hashalom

Phrase used after the name of a departed male meaning, "Peace upon him"

Makom

Place of burial

Casket(Aron) characteristics

Plain wooden pegged box without ornaments or lining, no metal parts or animal glue, holes may be bored into the bottom allowing deceased to be closer to earth.

Musof

Prayers

Tehillim

Prayers from the Book of Psalms said before the funeral by a group of friends and the Shomer.

Cremation

Prohibited