What is שמירה (Shmira)?
Jewish tradition teaches that between the time of death until burial, the soul of a meyt/meyta is on a journey and needs the companionship of others during this momentous transition. Shmira, commonly translated “guarding.” is the name given to the practice of accompanying the deceased. People providing shmira stay in the building where a meyt/meyta rests until the time of the funeral, however, they do not typically see or come into contact with the meyt/meyta .
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Rabbi Shahar Colt
shahar.colt@hevrakadisha.org
OR
Community Hevra Kadisha
of Greater Boston
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Lexington, MA 02421
The Community Hevra Kadisha of Greater Boston (CHK) has been recognized as a tax exempt public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to CHK are deductible under section 170 of the Code
