This archive report was first published on 19 September 2019.
On September 19, 2019, the news of Tob Cohen's death sent shockwaves through his family, triggering a series of rituals and traditions as dictated by the Torah.
According to a close relative, 'Torah is the law of God as revealed to Moses and recorded in the first five books of the Hebrew scriptures (the Pentateuch). In the Pentateuch we also see God's response to sin, his relationship with mankind, and gain keen insight into the character and nature of God.'
The Torah demands that the family recites, 'Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the universe, the Judge of Truth,' and tears their clothes immediately the news of his death goes out. This is known as Kria.
However, only Cohen's parents are allowed to tear their garments since the mourners received the news of the death after an elapsed period of 30 days.
A series of interviews and documents obtained from libraries showed that people known under the Torah as Shmira have been watching over his body and reciting Psalms.
The culture also demands that he made it clear to the loved ones in a will that his funeral must adhere to Jewish tradition when he was still alive, thereby ensuring that they will be buried in the ways of their ancestors.
This is to be followed by another ritual known as Taharah and conducted by volunteers known in Hebrew as Chevra Kadisha (holy society) to ensure the deceased is shown proper respect by being purified (washed), ritually cleansed and shrouded.
The holy society is known in urban areas across the world and owns burial plots in various cemeteries. They support the mourning families by organising prayer services, preparing meals and providing other services for mourners.
Most Jews pay an annual token to the society so that when the time comes, the society will not only attend to the body as befits Jewish law (believed to be an honour) but will also ensure burial in a plot that it controls at an appropriate nearby Jewish cemetery.
The burial day is known as 'the escort day' while the mourners are called aveil. There is no body viewing. Staunch Jews are not buried in a casket but small traditional garments known as tallits.
Those who prefer caskets ensure they are simple and made of unfinished wood; finished wood with metal would slow the return of the body to dust (Genesis 3:19).
