Ask The Rabbi
31 August 1996
Issue #117 (Parshas Ki Savo)
===========================================================================
This Issue Contains:
1.  Grave Issue
2.  Yiddle Riddle
===========================================================================
   All Ohr Somayach Publications are now available in Adobe Acrobat and
     Microsoft Word formats from our web site: http://www.ohr.org.il
===========================================================================

Edward Karan from BA/FAS New York <ekarannn@colybrand.com> wrote:

>Dear Rabbi,
>
>I was reading an article in a magazine on archaeology commenting how the
>"fanatic" group, ATRA KADDISHA, hampers excavations when graves are
>unearthed in Israel.  I'm interested why we can't relocate graves.  The
>article quoted a Talmudic source that in the times of the Mishna, cities
>that were expanding were allowed to relocate a grave site.
>
>Another thing:  I imagine that graves are considered `holy' places, but at
>the same time they are "impure."  I am looking for a good explanation on
>how something can be both holy and impure at the same time?  Shalom,

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Eddie,

Speaking of archeology, did you hear that they discovered a three thousand
year old city in Israel with evidence that everyone in the city had
** cellular ** phones?  That's right.  They searched the entire city and
didn't find a single telephone wire!

But back to your question.  In general, it's forbidden to move a body, even
bones, from one grave to another.  Besides the disrespect to the deceased,
the departed soul experiences pain when his body is dug up.

In certain situations, however, moving graves is permitted.  For example,
when the move is for the good of the departed, such as moving him to his
family plot.  And as you wrote, one may move graves located in an area
needed by the public -- provided no alternate site exists.

However, the remains must be treated with respect and reburied in an
assigned plot.  Not just thrown away or put on display.

Based on photos and eye-witness accounts of construction sites and
archeological digs in Israel, bones are tossed around, piled into bags, and
discarded in a most irreverent way.  The members of the Atra Kaddisha are
simply trying to safeguard the sanctity of their ancestors' graves.  (Atra
Kaddisha means `the holy place.')

You asked, "how can graves be holy yet impure?"  Man is made of two
aspects:  Body and soul.  While the dead body is impure, the soul, which is
still related to the body, is holy.

Sources:
o  Shulchan Aruch - Yoreh Deah 363:1
o  Gesher Hachaim vol. I chapters 26 & 27 and vol. II chapters 20-21
o  See Talmud Yerushalmi Moed Katan 2:4, Ramban, Torat Ha-adam, Ohr Zaruah
   419, Tshuvat HaRashba I:369, Rabbeinu Yerucham I:229-230, Rambam Hilchot
   Aivel 14:12-26

===========================================================================

Yiddle Riddle

Which Tractate's name is the antonym of the name of the Order (seder) of
which it is part?
Answer next week
===========================================================================
Do you link to us?  Let everyone know about the Ohr Somayach Home Page by
dropping the following text into the HTML document of YOUR home page:

          <A HREF="http://www.ohr.org.il" TARGET="_top">
          The Ohr Somayach International Home Page</A>
===========================================================================
Do you have a question about Judaism,
                              and don't know where to find the answer?
            Just "Ask The Rabbi" and you'll get an answer.

                  Ohr Somayach has a staff of Rabbis
                 dedicated to answering YOUR questions.

Our Rabbis have researched questions on what Judaism says about Magic,
Virtual Reality Minyan, Why Honey and Locusts are Kosher, and Why People
Point Pinkies at the Torah.  For each question that we answer in the weekly
column, DOZENS of answers are sent to individuals around the world who also
asked questions during that time.

Please feel free to avail yourself of this service.  Just submit your
question to "Ask The Rabbi" and we'll begin researching your answer.  If
you feel your question is personal, just tell us, and we'll be certain to
send the answer only to YOU!

To submit a question, address it to: mailto:ohr@virtual.co.il
To insure correct handling, set the subject to "ASK THE RABBI"

See below for instructions on how to subscribe to ASK THE RABBI
===========================================================================
                                 SUBSCRIBE!

to one of the many weekly "lists" published by Ohr Somayach Institutions:

       weekly - Summary of the weekly Torah portion
      dafyomi - Rav Mendel Weinbach's insights into the Daf Yomi
          ask - The Rabbi answers YOUR questions on Judaism
   parasha-qa - Challenging questions on the weekly Torah portion
   os-special - All the SPECIAL publications produced by Ohr Somayach
      os-alum - "B'Yachad" - the Ohr Somayach Electronic Alumni Newsletter
     judaismo - Spanish-Language newsletter on the Parsha & Judaism
        month - Seasons of the Moon - The Jewish Year through its months

Ohr Somayach NEVER charges for any of the above lists.
To subscribe, send the message:  subscribe {listname} {your full name}
                          mailto:listproc@virtual.co.il
===========================================================================
Dedication opportunities are available for Ask The Rabbi.
Please contact us for details.
===========================================================================
Ask The Rabbi is written at
Ohr Somayach Institutions / Tanenbaum College, Jerusalem, Israel.
General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
Production Design: Lev Seltzer
===========================================================================
   Jewish   L         EEEEEEEE  Prepared by the Jewish Learning Exchange of
     J      L         E         Ohr Somayach International
     J      L         E         22 Shimon Hatzadik Street, POB 18103
     J      L         Exchange  Jerusalem 91180, Israel
     J      L         E         Tel: 972-2-581-0315 Fax: 972-2-581-2890
J    J      L         E         Mailto:ohr@virtual.co.il
 JJJJ       Learning  EEEEEEEE  http://www.ohr.org.il
===========================================================================
(C) 1996 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved.
This publication may be distributed to another person intact without prior
permission.  We also encourage you to include this material in other
publications, such as synagogue newsletters.  However, we ask that you
contact us beforehand for permission, and then send us a sample issue.

