LITMIR.BIZ

      Death rides on wings, and within half an hour, alerted by signs or sounds, or the lack of them, two of the four women of the village Chevra Kadisah, the burial society, were at the door to perform the tohorah, the preparation of the body for burial. One was the tiny Mrs. Feldman. With whispered condolences, they went straight to the bedroom, laid fresh straw on the floor, and placed Motlie’s body on it. One of them covered her with a blanket while the other began to heat a pot of water. Hanna stepped forward and told Mrs. Feldman where her mother stored the linen shroud she had made at the onset of her illness.

      In short time, the other two women came, one carrying a long, smooth board. In the bedroom, they placed the board atop two chairs, laid Motlie upon it, and washed her body. They slipped on the shroud’s pants, sewn at the ends so her feet would not show, then the upper portion, also sewn at the ends to conceal her hands. On her head they placed a white bonnet to hide her hair. When all was done, they put the blanket on top of the straw, laid Motlie back upon it, and folded it around her. All was covered by a black blanket with a golden Star of David in the center. They lit candles at her head and feet. Two of the women volunteered for the shemirah, the continuous watching of the corpse, and sat on chairs in the corner of the room while the others quietly left.

      Soon the mourners came. They kissed the family, then went into the bedroom and said prayers from the psalms of David, reciting those which started with the initials of Motlie’s name. Others brought in stools for the family to sit on, so they would remember how mortal they are, and that at this point of time for the one who died, there is only God. The single mirror of the house was draped with black cloth, and the family had changed to clothing of the same color.

      The women of the village prepared a hot meal for the family, since that was also custom, then they all left except for the two volunteers standing watch in the death room. After eating, Jakob took Zelek upstairs to sleep with him, Hanna and Hershel moved the cot from the bedroom into the kitchen for Israel, then she stretched out in her own room. There was little sleep for her that night. The loss of her mother was finally sinking in. Her mind did not dwell on the many problems she must face, replacing Motlie. Instead, for hour after hour, she saw her mother’s smile, the way she walked, the sound of her voice, the motions of her hands as she gave the Sabbath prayer, the tender, loving care the children and she had gotten during the chicken pox and measles, and the various ailments that came to all families. She wondered how one, slight woman could find so much love for a household of people, for each of them felt that Motlie loved her or him the most.

      Poor Papa, she thought, her teeth clenched to hold back the sobs that filled her throat. What will he do without Mama? Thank God there are young children for him to occupy himself with. She knew that when he came back from the cemetery, he would wipe away the tears and start taking over Mama’s duties. She knew that as surely as her own name. He will walk around with half a heart, but he will not give up. He will do what must be done while he is waiting to join her, and he will look forward to that day as eagerly as a child looks forward to a special gift. But when he goes, he will take the report that he did the job, that all the children were raised as Motlie would want them raised.