JUDAISM: DEATH AND BURIAL Nobody likes to think about death — but everybody does. SOME ARE FASCINATED BY IT — some are afraid of it. Until Moshiach comes, death remains a fact of life. In fact, according to Judaism, death is actually a continuation of life. Judaism believes in the Soul, “truly a part of G-d Above” (Tanya, CH 2) This soul is the essence of the person. The soul is eternal and lives on in Higher Spiritual Worlds. Specific to the Jewish religion is the partnership between body and soul. While the “soul” must be the “driver,” the “body” is indeed the “vehicle” through which all good deeds are carried out. Therefore, both the body and the soul are to be treated with the utmost respect. This is true when the person is alive, and it is also true in death. The body is the critical partner and the arena where all of one’s inner goodness and soul finds expression. Therefore, the body will be prepared for burial according to Jewish tradition, by the Chevra Kadisha, each Jew being prepared in exactly the same way. Simple shrouds, no pockets — wealth, clothing, property — these do not matter here. The essence does, where we are all equal at the core, created in Hashem’s image.
36 | SHALOM SANTA BARBARA | 2021–2022
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