The Short Vort by Rabbi Eisenman

Today in Chevra Kadishas worldwide, the Yahrtzeit of Moshe Rabbeinu is observed fasting and, after the fast, with a Seudas Mitzvah.

At the Seuda, the members of the Chevra Kadisha are recognized for their efforts on behalf of the community.

What is the connection between Zayin Adar, the Yahrtzeit of Moshe Rabbeinu, and Chevra Kadishas? Why is this day picked to recognize the work of the Chevra Kadisha?

There are several connections between Moshe Rabbeinu and the holy work of the Chevra Kadisha.

These reasons explain why the day of his Yahrtzeit is appropriate for recognizing the Chevra.

Here is a partial listing of the connections of Moshe with the work of Chevra Kadisha:

1.      The Chevra Kadisha is an organization that deals with (lo aleinu) the mitzvah of preparing a Jewish body for burial and the actual burial.

Everyone, including (and perhaps especially the Chevra Kadisha), has to face their own mortality one day.

 Rav Avigdor Miller Zt”L would say, “We all live in a partial state of denial, never quite believing that one day the Malach HaMaves (angel of death) will come knocking.

If there was one person who we would have perhaps believed could have escaped death, it would have been Moshe Rabbeinu.

But, alas, Moshe Rabbeinu went the way of all flesh.

Therefore, what better day to drive home the message that all of us (Chevra Kadisha members and everyone) should take a lesson that if Moshe was unable to avoid death, certainly we won’t be able to.

 Therefore, today is the most appropriate day to take stock of our lives and begin improving.

2.      Moshe Rabbeinu was the founding member of the first Chevra Kadisha

in Jewish history.

When the Jewish people were busy gathering the booty of Mitzrayim, Moshe Rabbeinu was securing the remains of Yosef to ensure they would have a proper Jewish burial.

Therefore, Moshe was the first volunteer to run a Chevra Kadisha.

 It is thus fitting that on the Yahrtzeit of the “founder” of Chevra Kadisha, we mark the day by recognizing the holy work of the Chevra Kadisha.

3.      As a reward for Moshe’s involvement in guaranteeing the proper burial of the remains of Yosef, Moshe was rewarded that Hashem Himself involved Himself in the burial of Moshe.

 The Chevra Kadisha, a 24/7 organization, never had a day off to gather in a Seuda and recognize its members.

The only day of the year they ever historically had a day off was Zayin Adar, the day Hashem Himself took over the buried Moshe.

Therefore, it was decided that the day the Chevra could take time to recognize its members was the only “day off” in their history, namely Zayin Adar.

4.      Moshe Rabbeinu’s life epitomizes the concept of Chesed Shel Emes.

Meaning he was a person who always worked for the Klal without expectation of reward.

From his killing of the Mitzri, to his drawing water for the daughters of Yisro, to his running after a lost and thirsty baby sheep, Moshe Rabbeinu was always selfless and never looked for any material reward.

This is the essence of the Chevra Kadisha. They work tirelessly and without fanfare and without expectation of reward for the good of the people

As this concept was actualized by Moshe to an extent never duplicated, it is only fitting we recognize the work of those involved in  Chesed Shel Emes on the Yahrtzeit of the person who epitomized Chessed Shel Emes

May we all be Zoche to never need the services of the Chevra Kadisha until after 120 years of good health and vibrancy.