What does the ceremony of "taharah" involve?

The ceremony of "taharah" specifically refers to the ritual washing of the deceased in Jewish tradition. This practice is part of the preparatory rituals before burial, where a group known as the chevra kadisha, or holy society, carefully washes and shrouds the body with great respect and reverence. This act not only honors the deceased but also signifies the purification of the body in anticipation of its return to the earth.

While reading scriptures for the dead, performing burial rites, or having a period of reflection are significant aspects of Jewish mourning and burial practices, they do not directly pertain to "taharah" itself. The central focus of this ceremony is the washing and preparation of the body, which makes the selected response the most accurate choice regarding what "taharah" entails.