The day of “Chevra Kadisha” is traditionally observed in Jewish communities today, the 7th of Adar. The “Chevra Kadisha,” or “Holy Society,” is a special Jewish communal organization responsible for burying deceased members of the community. In Dnipro, the Chevra Kadisha service is led by Rabbi Shmuel Livshits.
Why specifically the 7th of Adar? There is an opinion that it is customary to celebrate and congratulate the members of the Chevra Kadisha specifically on the day of Moshe Rabbeinu’s passing because he died and was buried by Hashem Himself. This was the only instance where a Jew passed away, was buried according to all the laws, while the Chevra Kadisha “rested.” This day is therefore considered the unofficial holiday of this sacred society.
The members of the Chevra Kadisha fulfill one of the greatest commandments—”Chesed Shel Emet,” or true kindness—for those who have left this material world. They perform burials in full accordance with Jewish tradition, and this kindness is genuine because nothing is expected in return from the deceased, no gratitude whatsoever. Always and everywhere, this sacred work has been carried out by the most respected members of the community. The livelihood of a Chevra Kadisha member does not depend on burials, and burial work is not their primary source of income. This ensures that no Jew would ever have cause to await another’s passing for the sake of fulfilling a mitzvah.
Various communities have different customs related to the Chevra Kadisha, varying according to historical period and country. Did you know that among the most common customs are the following: Chevra Kadisha members ensure that every deceased person is assigned a burial place according to their merit (in accordance with the lifestyle they led), and no one except the board may choose a burial location? They are also responsible for ensuring that a known righteous person is not buried next to a known wicked person, and that individuals who were enemies in life are not buried near one another.
However, the exact rights and responsibilities of the Chevra Kadisha in each community are determined by a special written charter, a model of which is provided in the book “Chesed Shel Emet.”
The Dnipro Jewish Community and our website congratulate all members of the Dnipro Chevra Kadisha and its director, Rabbi Shmuel Livshits. We wish them as little work as possible, so that the Jews of our city may live long, healthy, and prosperous lives.
