קבורה, מוות, השארות הנפש ותחיית המתים

(1) One who collects his father's [or his mother's] bones²M.K. 8a. or [the bones] of other near-of-kin for whom one observes mourning rites,³N in T.H. Thus also Asheri M.K. I, derived from Sem(H). XII, 7 in accord with R. Akiba. mourns for them all day⁴M.K. ibid. in [that he observes] all matters which apply to a mourner, [viz.,] by over-turning the couch, muffling the head, [by debarring himself from] wearing shoes, [from] using the conjugal couch, [from] bathing and annointing himself.⁵N in T.H.; Asheri and R. Yeruḥam. However, in the evening one does not observe mouring rites for them, even if he had them by him tied up in a sheet.⁶M.K. ibid., Tosaf. s.v. ולערב. Rashi (ibid.) explains that this means even if he himself did not collect the bones and did not see them, mourning still obtains for one day. [If] he was standing and collecting [the bones] and night fell, he is permitted [the aforementioned matters which are forbidden to a mourner], on the following day. Therefore, one should not collect them close to nightfall so that it should not turn out that he observed no mourning rites for the collection of his father's [or mother's] bones.⁷Sem(H). XII, 4. Since only the parents are mentioned, it follows that in the case of other near-of-kin, one may collect bones close to nightfall — A.H. Aninuth⁸ Glos. and supra § 34 does not [take effect] in [the case of] a collection of bones [for final burial];⁹He is therefore, permitted to eat meat and drink wine which is forbidden to an Onen (v. supra § 341), but mourning becomes effective forthwith, even prior to the final burial of the collected bones. supra § 375, 7. A Kohen is forbidden to collect the bones of his father lest the corpse is defective, in which case he is for-bidden to defile himself for him (v. supra § 373, 9) — ShaK, Derisha. only mourning rites become effective forthwith.¹⁰Tur on the authority of Asheri — G.

(2) Whosoever rends [garments] for him at the time of his death, rends [garments] for him at the time of [his] bone-collection; and every [rent] which is not resewn at the time of his death, is not resewn at the time of [his] bone-collection.¹¹Sem(H). XII, 3 cited by N and Asheri.

(3) [With respect to] bones [which are collected for final burial], one does not stand for them in the line [of comforters], but one says words of comfort on their own account.¹²e., one tells the praise of the departed in accordance with their deeds. One does not provide the mourner's meal for them¹³e., on account of the collected bones. in the town-group,¹⁴e., publicly. For the meaning of חבר עיר v. supra § 355 and notes. Sem. has, ‘One does not go up for them etc.’ but one provides the mourner's meal for them in his¹⁵Sem(H). has, ‘in the mourner’s house.’ house.¹⁶Sem(H). XII, 4; N in T.H.; Asheri. Cf. also Sem(H). XI, 2; ibid. Int. II, 11, pp. 46-47. One does not recite for them lamentations and elegies, but one says for them [words of] praise,¹⁷Y.M.K. I, 5(80d) ; Y.Pes. VIII, 7(36b). Thus also Yad, Ebel XII, 6-8; Alfasi; N in T.H.; Asheri. [i.e.,] the praise of the departed [whose bones were collected] and one praises the Lord who puts to death and makes alive.¹⁸You will find this explained in the Tur — G.

(4) One may not collect his father's [or mother's] bones on [Hol-] ha-Moed, and needless to say, the bones of other near-of-kin.¹⁹Yad, Ebel XI, 3 derived from Mishna M.K. 8a in accord with R. Jose, for the principle is that wherever there is a difference of opinion between R. Meir (who permits this, ibid.) and R. Jose, we rule in accord with R. Jose. The Mishna ibid. adds, ‘for it is an occasion of mourning for him.’

(5) One who heard that today they collected the bones of his near-of-kin for whom he observes mourning rites, — although he was not [present] there, — observes mourning rites for them.²⁰Y. ibid. in accord with R. Ḥaggai. A woman whose husband died and she remarried and subsequently the bones of her first husband were collected for final burial, is not required to observe mourning rites for him on the day that his bones are collected, for her second marriage releases her from her previous relationship — P.Tesh. Cf. supra § 362, n. 16. But if he heard that [the bones] were collected yesterday, he does not observe mourning rites for them.²¹Tur on the authority of Y. — G.

(6) One must not take apart the [collected] bones nor sever the sinews.²²Sem(H). XII,

(7) A collection of bones [for final burial] is made only after the flesh has become decomposed;²³Sem(H). XII, [for] once the flesh is decomposed, the shape of the corpse is no longer discernible through the bones.²⁴This refers to a case where he himself collects the bones. However, if the collection is made before decomposition, he has to observe mourning for the entire day. supra § 375, Therefore, one may collect by himself²⁵Lit. ‘with his hand.’ his father's and mother's bones. Yet, it is [more] proper that one should not collect them by himself. [This is derived] from that [which is related] about R. Eliezer b. Ẓadok [as stated] anon.

(8) A person may collect the bones of two corpses at one time, [viz., he places the bones of one corpse] at the end of [his] epikarsion²⁶The text has אפרסקל a corruption of אפיקרסין a sheet or anything similar to that. supra § 340, n. 59. on one side, and [the bones of another corpse] at the [other] end of the [same] epikarsion²⁶The text has אפרסקל a corruption of אפיקרסין a sheet or anything similar to that. supra § 340, n. 59. on the other side. These are the words of R. Joḥanan b. Nuri. R. Akiba²⁷Thus in Sem. says, eventually the epikarsion will rot and it will turn out that the bones of two corpses will be mixed up [which is forbidden]; [therefore], one should rather collect and place [the bones of] each one separately in a coffin of cedar wood. Said R. Eliezer b. Ẓadok, — thus said my father to me at the time of his death, — 'At first bury me in a depression²⁸Lit. ‘a valley.’ supra par. 1, n. 1; § 363, 4; § 362, n. 3. and later [after the flesh is decomposed] collect my bones and place them in [a coffin] of cedar wood and do not collect them yourself,²⁹Lit. ‘with your hand.’ A.H. who asks why R. Eliezer b. Zadok stated on the authority of his father not to collect the bones himself. In any case this was impossible since he was a Kohen? (v. supra par. 1, n. 9). however, Ya’abeẓ, Toledoth Yisrael VI, pp. 281-282. so that they do not become reprehensible to you'.³⁰Sem(H). XII, 8-9.

(9) One who collects bones [for final burial] and one who guards the corpse and the one who carries them from place to place is exempt from the reading of the Shema,⁸ Glos. and supra § 341. from Tefillah,⁸ Glos. and supra § 341. from Tefillin⁸ Glos. and supra § 341. and from all religious duties enjoined in the Torah, both during a weekday as well as during the Sabbath,³¹This applies on the Sabbath only to guarding the corpse or the bones, for no collection of bones is made on the Sabbath. and there is no difference whether [these are] the bones of near-of-kin or of strangers, both if he is in a boat or on the road, even if the collectors [of the bones] are many.³²This refers to those who collect the bones, but if there are many who guard the corpse or the bones, one guards and the other reads the Shema (v. O.Ḥ. § 71, 4) — ShaK. Cf. also supra § 341, 6, n. 51. If one desires to place himself under greater stringencies [than the law requires] he should not do so out of deference [to the collected] bones.³²This refers to those who collect the bones, but if there are many who guard the corpse or the bones, one guards and the other reads the Shema (v. O.Ḥ. § 71, 4) — ShaK. Cf. also supra § 341, 6, n. 51.

(10) One who carries bones from place to place should not put them in a sack or saddle-bag and place them across [the back of] an ass and sit on them, because it is a disrespectful way of treating them;³³Ber. 18a. Cf. supra § 282, 3. The same would apply to one who transports the bones by any other means of conveyance — A.H. but if he throws it³⁴The sack containing the bones. over his shoulder on the ass,³⁵While he sits on the ass. it is all right.³⁶Asheri. However, if he was afraid of robbers and rovers, it is permitted [to sit on them].³⁷Ber. ibid. Gloss: [R. Meir used to say, it is written, 'It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting; for that is the end of all men] and the living will lay it to heart',³⁸Eccl. VII, 2. [viz.,] matters pertaining to death; if one makes a lamentation, others will make a lamentation for him; if one helps at burial, others will bury him; if one carries [the bier], others will carry him; if one raises [his voice in funereal lamentations], others will raise [their voice] for him.³⁹M.K. 28b a.e. Great is the peace that was given to the righteous, for when a righteous man departs [this world] three companies of ministering Angels extend to him a greeting of peace,⁴⁰Tur, Asheri and Kol Bo — G. and exclaim, 'He shall enter into peace'.⁴¹Is. LVII, 2. entire passage in Ket. 104a. (And everyone that is written unto life shall be called holy).⁴² Is. IV, 3.
'HE WILL SWALLOW UP DEATH FOR EVER; AND THE LORD GOD, WILL WIPE AWAY TEARS FROM OFF ALL FACES'.⁴³Is. XXV, 8, cited in last Mishna of M.K. (28b) as a comforting conclusion.

(10) He also used to say that there are five things that [last] twelve months: The judgment of the generation of the flood, twelve months; The judgment of Job, twelve months; The judgment of the Egyptians, twelve months; The judgment of Gog and Magog in the time to come, twelve months; The judgment of the wicked in hell, twelve months, for it is said, "And it will be from [one] month until the [next appearance of the same] month" (Isaiah 66:23). Rabbi Yohanan the son of Nuri says: From Passover to Shavuot, for it is said, "And from one sabbath until the [next] sabbath" (ibid.).