חסד של אמת

Parshat ויחי was the source for the importance of the Mitzva of הלויית המת, caring for the dead. The source for this comes from Yakov’s request of Yosef to be buried in Israel. The exact wording is ועשית עמדי חסד ואמת, that you should act with me kindness and truth. This is why many burial societies are referred to as חסד של אמת. Caring for the dead is a great Mitzva for it is done totally for the sake of the Mitzva. The deceased is not around to thank him among other things. I have always said that if one moves to a new Jewish community outside of Israel, (for a brief period) and he wants to know who the especially good people of that community might be, he should find out about Chevra Kadisha. Inevitably, the men and women who volunteer their time with the ritual washing of the deceased, are also outstanding individuals. These are the people you want as your friends. They are the ones doing חסד של אמת.