Thresholds: Jewish Rituals of Death and Mourning—Placing Her Into the Coffin
Two-Dimensional Wall Art > Paintings (Oil)
31 x 41 x 2.5
$5,000.00
Artwork #
704
Artist's Statement
Taharah is one of Judaism’s rituals of death and mourning. Echoing the burial of Moses (Deuteronomy 34), it emphasizes purification of the soul and simple burial. Taharah developed in the first century CE, a time when the wealthy held lavish funerals while the poor, in embarrassment, felt their only recourse was to abandon their dead. Rabbi Gamliel, a greatly revered scholar of the time, was dismayed by the situation and declared that, as everyone is equal in death, funerals must reflect our common humanity.
In this image a metah (deceased woman) is placed into her casket after being washed, purified with three buckets of cold water and dressed in linen shrouds.
I have been a member of several East Bay chevrei kadishim, the people who fulfill these rites, for almost twenty years. My art depicts these rituals, conveying the caring, respect and honor with which we carry out our tasks.
Artist
Karen Benioff Friedman
Contact Information
karenbeniofffriedman.com/about-karen-benioff-friedman
