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Jewish Death Practices:
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To Midwife A Soul

 

Authored by Richard A Light  To Midwife A Soul - Guidelines for Performing Tahara

Edition: 4

 

This manual is a guide for those who perform the holy ritual of Tahara, preparation of Jewish deceased for burial. Written for the Chevra Kadisha of Northern New Mexico, a chevra that includes six shuls that differ extensively in their levels of observance, this manual is intended for use by any community. It is for all Jews. 


This 4th Edition is specially formatted for ease of use in the Tahara room as well as for education and teaching. Music has long been known to enhance the beauty and kavanah of the ritual. This edition is unique in that it includes the musical Hebrew chanting notations of Rabbi Shefa Gold. This book is an essential resource to those who help midwife souls from this world to the next.

About the author:
Rick Light has been teaching spiritual development in various ways for more than 30 years and has been studying and practicing meditation for more than 40 years. He also teaches backpacking, rock climbing, and other outdoor skills. He is a leader in the community of those who prepare Jewish bodies for burial, and is President of a local chevra he started in 1996. He is a Vice President of the North American educational organization, Kavod v'Nichum (Honor and Comfort, see Jewish-Funerals.org), and continues to teach and raise awareness about Jewish death and burial practices at the local, state, and national levels.