The Role of the Rosh

Question: Is it necessary to have a designated rosh at every tahara?

Answer: Yes. It has been the minhag of many chevros kadisha to have a designated rosh at every tahara. The rosh leads the tahara team, makes all necessary decisions, and assumes responsibility for the entire tahara process.

Having a designated rosh at every tahara is an integral part of kavod hameis for two reasons:

1. A tahara team without someone clearly in charge is likely to encounter uncertainty, questions, unnecessary discussion, and delays, all of which detract from kavod hameis.
   
2. When there is a designated rosh, that person assumes responsibility for the entire scope of the tahara process, ultimately resulting in the nifter being treated with the highest level of kavod hameis.

Responsibilities of the Rosh Include:

Making all decisions regarding the tahara process.
The authority of the rosh should be respected during the tahara. If another metaher feels that something being done is truly inappropriate, they may ask the rosh to step outside the tahara room so the matter can be discussed. The final decision, however, rests with the rosh. 

1. Resolving questions before or during the tahara by consulting the chevra’s rabbinic advisor.
   
2. Assigning roles and responsibilities to the other metaharim.
   
3. Obtaining the exact name of the nifter, both in English and Hebrew.
   
4. Checking all identification tags to ensure the name matches exactly and confirm that the tahara is being done for the correct person.
   
5. Signing the Certificate of Tahara, if your chevra provides one.
   
6. Interfacing with the funeral director and addressing any issues that arise before or during the tahara process.
   
7. Ensuring that all supplies necessary for the tahara are available, and that missing supplies are replaced before the next tahara.
   
8. Ensuring that the tahara room is left clean before leaving.
   

The identity of the designated rosh should be clear to all the metaharim before the tahara begins. This is especially important when members of the tahara team may themselves serve as a rosh at other times.

It is important for everyone to be mentally prepared for their respective roles. The rosh must be prepared to lead and make decisions. Likewise, the other metaharim should prepare themselves to accept direction from the designated rosh.

In summary, the minhag that every tahara has a designated rosh is a component of kavod hameis. The rosh is responsible for every aspect of the tahara process. While the rosh can and should seek input or advice from others when necessary, the responsibility for all final decisions rests with the rosh.