The Greatest Mitzvah
Sermon, September 14, 2007
Rabbi Bruce Kadden

What is the greatest mitzvah?  What is the most important thing that we can do for another human being?  According to Jewish tradition, there is no greater mitzvah than caring for the deceased.  Anything that we do for a person who has died, from obtaining a burial place to preparing the body for burial to participating in the burial itself qualifies.

Historically, when Jews settled in a new community, the first Jewish institution was almost always a Jewish cemetery.  A synagogue could wait; after all Jews could gather for prayer in a house of in the back room of a business, but in order for a Jewish burial to take place, you needed space that had been consecrated for this purpose.

That is exactly what happened here in Tacoma.  According to Deb Freedman’s research, “Tacoma’s Home of Peace Cemetery had its beginnings in the fall of 1888, when a number of men gathered after Yom Kippur services to create a temporary organization of the Hebrew Benevolent association.

Until then Jews who died would be buried either in Olympia or Victoria.  But by 1889, the first burial had taken place and the first annual meeting had been held.  In 1891, the First Hebrew Benevolent Society was officially incorporated and 8 acres of land was purchased from Charles Wright for $1.  The land was located at the corner of Lakewood and Steilacoom Blvds. because it was a central location for the few Jewish families in Steilacoom and those in Tacoma.  The first synagogue was not established until a year later.

Why is burial of the dead considered such an important mitzvah?  From biblical times, leaving a body unburied was considered a scandal; everything was done to assure a prompt and proper burial. 

Judaism insists that even after the soul leaves the body at the moment of death, we treat the body with respect.  Not leaving the body alone, preparing the body for burial, and participating in the burial were all ways to show respect toward the deceased.  In addition, Jewish law prohibits embalming, which would slow down the natural decay of the body, and cremation.

Another reason that Judaism emphasizes the importance of this mitzvah is that it is something that we are not naturally inclined to do.  Being in the presence of a dead body can be very uncomfortable.  Most of us want to stay as far away from death as possible.  But Judaism insists that we not leave such an important task for others.

Many communities have a chevra kaddisha, a burial society comprised of men and women who are responsible for properly preparing the body for burial.  It is considered a great honor to be a member of a chevra kaddisha and to participate in preparing the body or sitting with the body from the time of death until burial.

Finally, the primary reason that caring for the dead is such an important mitzvah is because one cannot be directly repaid by the deceased.  Whereas our motivation of performing other mitzvot might be suspect, that is not the case when one helps with a burial.  We can be certain that such help is offered selflessly and without expectation of reciprocal action.

Over the years, many people have worked hard to be certain that there was a place in Tacoma for burial of Jews who have died.  Unlike most other Jewish cemeteries, however, Home of Peace is organized as a Benevolent Society.  Rather than purchasing a plot, one becomes a member.  While members are entitled to burial at the time of death, they are more importantly contributing to the ongoing existence and development of Home of Peace so that it will be available for all who need it.

Everyone who is a member, and all who contributed to this most recent effort to assure funding for upkeep and needed repairs well into the future, have participated in the mitzvah of caring for the dead.  Together we have assured that Home of Peace will continue to exist well into the future. 

We are grateful for the efforts of Babe Lehrer and for all others who worked on this effort, as well as the dedication of the board members who have undertaken the important business of maintaining the cemetery.  May all who have contributed to these endeavors feel satisfaction from being a part of this effort. 

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