Volunteering to help at taharah

flory42 ↓

Mon, Dec 11 2023, 5:16 pm

I’m volunteering for a taharah and it is my first time.
Is there anything I need to know about before?
I want to do the mitzvah but I am a little bit nervous.
Any tips or inspiration would be very helpful and also a big mitzvah!
Thanks!

Kumphort

Mon, Dec 11 2023, 5:27 pm

I don’t have any spiritual advice. But practical, it’s messy and wet. Wear rain boots and clothes you don’t mind ruining.

Such a special thing to do.

chocolate moose ↓

Mon, Dec 11 2023, 6:58 pm

you might be better off starting with sewing tachrichim. ease into doing taharas.

mama123

Mon, Dec 11 2023, 7:22 pm

I helped with my first (and only) taharah when I was 20 (lived oot and they were very short on volunteer s). Unless you are overly squeamish, you'll be fine.
Kumphort's advice was good.
It is a very special mitzvah and there are many halachos involved. The more knowledgeable you are about the halachos beforehand, I think the more comfortable you'll feel in the moment.

Perly1 ↓

Mon, Dec 11 2023, 7:29 pm

Ideally someone should talk you through what happens beforehand.

However, a few things. It's very respectful. The meis is covered whenever possible. Talking is kept to a minimum - only what is necessary.

Re nidda, from memory, you can't go when you are bleeding but ok during shiva neki'im but you can't pour the tahara water (the initial bucket is fine).

There is normally a team of four so you will learn from the other ladies. It's very special.

Tizku l'mitzvos.

zaq

Tue, Dec 12 2023, 12:55 pm

chocolate moose wrote:

you might be better off starting with sewing tachrichim. ease into doing taharas.

Nonsense. Sewing tachrichim doesn't remotely prepare you for a tahara. You can ease in by first reading up on it and then observing a tahara the first time without taking any action. Whoever is the "baleboste" will give you instructions.

↑ chocolate moose

Tue, Dec 12 2023, 7:22 pm

zaq wrote:

that's the way we do it here.

↑ flory42

Tue, Dec 12 2023, 7:37 pm

Thank you everyone for the responses. It was hard but ok.