Chevra Kadisha of Moscow Marks Day of Tefilla and Slichos

There is an ancient Jewish tradition that the members of the Chevra Kadisha who are occupied with chessed shel emes all year, establish one day a year on which they assemble for tefilla, reciting slichos and fasting. On this day they ask forgiveness of all those who have passed during this year, in case they had not treated them with the proper respect.

Many years ago the Chief Rabbi of Russia Berel Lazar renewed this custom and reestablished the date as 15 of Kislev, as was done during the times of the Alter Rebbe, when he was a member of the Chevra Kadisha and would fast every year on 15 Kislev. This date was chosen since it is one of the shortest days of the year, and, like the 7th of Adar, it never falls out on Shabbos.

After visiting the cemetery and asking for forgiveness, the Chevra Kadisha members arrived at the central Marina Roscha shul for mincha and reciting “vayichal”. After maariv, there was the traditional seudas mitzva where appreciation was expressed to the volunteers who are occupied by chesed shel emes. The holy society also discussed methods of improvement for the future and was addressed by the Jewish cemetery’s director Reb Dovid Bloch and by the Rabbi of Darkey Shalom shul Rabbi Dovid Karpov. Birkas Hamazon was recited by the Rabbi of Malakhovka and its ancient Jewish cemetery Rabbi Moshe Tamarin.

Photography: Mevaser Tov Mosow