Steps of Tahara/Purification

The team prepares for the Taharal. Prepares the aron/coffin, lays our the shroud, fills buckets and pans with water and lays out other needed materials.

The condition of the met/meta/deceased, is checked, initial washing and grooming are done. The met/meta is gently elevated onto boards so no part of the body rests on table. 

Tahara/purification is performed by pouring a continuous flow of three buckets of water (24 quarts) over the met/meta. The met/meta is gently dried.

Dressing is done in a specific order: the head covering, pants, inner shirt, kittel/outer shirt. Ribbons are tied around the ankles using a special knot. 

Met/meta/deceased is placed placed into the aron/casket and Israeli earth is sprinkled on top. Pottery shards are placed on the eyelids and a tallit/prayer shawl is put on, if used. Thenmet/meta is wrapped in the sheet. the wooden cover is placed on the aron, and the team asks for forgiveness for any mistakes that may have have made.

Team cleans the room and returns items to their original place. Then the team debriefs. The rituals of Tahara are emotionally impactful and moving. It's important for the team to end their time together positively, by sharing their personal feelings, if they choose.