A few days ago, a Chabad Rabbi came back from the grave!
Rabbi Goldshmid, from Netanya, Israel, was at a funeral when he accidently fell into the open grave! Thank G-d he only suffered some minor injuries. As he reflected on the bizarre incident, he felt it would be a good opportunity to highlight the importance of a Jewish burial, especially as it is a theme in this week's Torah portion.
The Parsha begins with the scene of Jacob on his deathbed, summoning his son Joseph. Jacob had an important matter to discuss: his burial arrangement.
Joseph agreed, but more was needed. He was asked to take an oath, pledging that he would spare no effort to ensure that his father received the burial he desired in Israel.
The Parsha ends with a conversation between Joseph and his brothers. This time, it was Joseph who was about to die, and he, too, was concerned about his burial arrangement.
For thousands of years, Jewish parents have passed on this beautiful tradition of Jewish burial.
Sadly, today many people choose to get cremated or to cremate their loved ones. Having discussed this topic with many who considered cremation, I know that often it is only because of a lack of awareness of the beauty and importance of this after-life ritual.
If you are considering cremation for yourself or your loved ones, I beg you to at the very least, research this subject. Learn about the history, meaning, and importance of Jewish burial. If finances are a concern, there are community organizations that are willing to assist.
I was recently talking with someone on the Chevra Kaddisha about the first time they participated in a "Tahara," the traditional preparation of a body before burial. She was nervous and wasn't sure what to expect. But when she entered the preparation room, she commented how she sensed... holiness.
Holiness was the last thing she'd expect to feel coming face to face with death. Where did the feeling of holiness come from?
The answer is two-fold.
First, Judaism pays tremendous respect to the body because of all the Mitzvot it did during its lifetime. It just makes sense. Our bodies are the tools we use to positively impact the world around us; that makes them precious and deserving of utmost respect. Like a Torah scroll that is lovingly buried when no longer fit to be used in Shul, a body, even after the soul has departed, remains sacred and is lovingly buried.
Second, death is not the end. While the body finishes its part, the soul continues its journey, returning to its divine source in heaven. And while doing so, it's still connected to its former "partner," the body. This connection of parts of the soul to the body is one reason we continue to visit the resting place of our loved ones and righteous individuals.
Finally, letting the body rest in the grave and allowing nature to take its course is also a source of comfort to the soul.
The intent of this email is not to G-d forbid, judge those whose loved ones made a different choice in the past. Rather to focus on the future and encourage you to both become educated about the issue and speak to others about the importance of a Jewish burial. Recent studies suggest close to 50% of Jews are not choosing a Jewish burial. It's a topic that can no longer be ignored.
It isn't the easiest subject to bring up, but it it's a tremendous Mitzvah and something that has always been important for Jews of all backgrounds, regardless of one's level of Jewish observance.
May all of us enjoy a long, healthy life!