Tikun Olam-Fixing the World 5

When there is a disaster in Israel, natural or man made, one sees on TV, besides the EMS and other first responders, groups of obviously religious men, wearing insignias reading "Zaka" (zihui korabnot ason; identification of victims of tragedy) and others that read "Chasha" (Chesed Shel Emet; true kindness). These are hareidi volunteer organizations. In the first instance, they aid police in finding bodies, or removing rubble under which the dead are to be found, and seeking ways to identify victims who are essentially unrecognizable. In the second instance, they make sure that the victims are treated with dignity, properly prepared for burial, which is carried out as quickly as possible in Jewish tradition. What would inspire people to do this work, especially on a volunteer basis? Is it a morbid preoccupation with death? Quite the contrary. It is a preoccupation with life; respect for the person who once lived in that body, as well as honor for the Image of G-d which remains. This is similar to our veneration for the Kotel. Seemingly, it is just a pile of stones. But it once served as a retaining wall for the Temple Mount, where G-d's presence dwelt among us, and will again. A remnant remains, which will forever be connected to G-d. We see the human body in the same light. That person once, only moments ago. commanded dignity. For us, he still does. The Talmud, when relating various acts of Gemilut Hasadim, puts caring for the dead at the top of the list. It is the only act of Kindness that the recipient can never repay. There is no thought of "You owe me one". Every major Jewish community has at least one such society, run by volunteers without charge to the family. There are, to be sure, "for pay" groups like this, but it is a badge of honor to be a volunteer in such a free service. Smaller communities will often have a burial society connected with the synagogue. There are separate women's societies. When I lived in Cincinnati, and was the assistant rabbi of the German congregation, nearly all the synagogue members came out late at night, in order to have some part in preparing their deceased friend for burial. Typically, the community throws the burial society, commonly known as the "Hevra Kadisha" (the Holy Brotherhood) a lavish dinner on the seventh of Adar, the anniversary of the death of Moses. The Torah tells us "he buried him..." The "he" is not defined. One view in the Talmud is that Moses buried himself. The other view is that G-d, in all His Glory, buried Moses. Thus, our care for the deceased is a form of imitating the acts of G-d. It is another face of Tikun Olam.