About the question of Taharah in the face of Cremation

[Rabbi Joe Blair]

I have to say that this is not a settled question where I live. One Chevrah will not do it, the other will. Since these two Chevrai are all there is, and they cover different geographic areas, it is unclear what the norm in the larger community might be.... (Makes me think of the concept of two circuit courts that hold oppositely, but there is no supreme court to serve as arbiter!)

While I am writing, I also have to echo what Dan Fendel said about Gamliel courses. I have now taken four of the courses, and some of them more than once. They are outstanding and look squarely at some of these really tough questions, providing information to help each Chevrah decide what to do for good reasons. As strongly as people feel, there is just not one right answer that fits all. So much of the work of the CK is Minhag that has come to be viewed as Halachah.... 

And speaking of the Gamliel courses the next one scheduled is on Nechama, Comforting. It will start on July 15th (with a logistics session on July 8th for those who have not taken a course using the online system). This course was very good before, and is likely to be even better this time around. The instructors engaged for it are first rate, the material is right on target for those in the CK and all who deal with comforting those at the end of life and mourners. The information taught is both practical and theoretical, explaining in an understandable way the background and theory, and also giving valuable hands-on how-to advice and tools. 

If you can, I strongly suggest you consider taking this course. You can find the information and register on the jewish-funerals.org website. 

Shalom,

Joe Blair

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                             Rabbi Joe Blair
                      rabb...@hotmail.com

              925-272-8563 [925-2-RAV-JOE] 

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                    זֶה הַיּוֹם עָשָׂה יְיָ, נָגֽילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה בוֹ
            This is the day that the Lord made; be
                      happy and rejoice in it.     
                                            Ps. 118:24

 Read the text within its' context.   ---  Francesco Petrarch
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