Aliyot | Burial of Shemot | Decorum During Services | El Maleh Rachamin | Erev Pesach on Shabbat | Hanukah | Havdalah | High Holidays | High Holiday Dress | High Holidays Preparations | How to Dress for Shul | Jewish Books | The Kaddish | Kedushah | Keriah Mi Sheberach | the Machzor | Mitzvah Minyanaires | Mourning | Pesach | Prayer | Proper Behavior in Shul | Proper Dress for Children in Shul | Purim Ritual Objects | Ritual Practices | Rosh Chodesh | Seudah Shlishit | Shabbat | Shavout | Shiva | Traditions | Visiting the Sick

Burial of Shemot

Alvin Stern

Judaism has many examples of teaching us valuable moral lessons by way of our detailed rituals --- for example, we cover the Challah loaves on Friday night and Shabbat lunch while reciting the Kiddush over the wine; the reason given is often that the bread is used to our taking it before a meal and reciting HaMotzi, and on Shabbat and holidays when we first recite the Kiddush over the wine, the challah (a form of bread, after all,) will be insulted and feel dejected and like a “second class citizen!” But, really, does the bread have the capability of thinking these thoughts? I doubt it! So, I think this ritual practice is designed to teach us about how to treat our fellow human beings – to be careful not to make any person feel like a “second class” member of the community.

Similarly, our tradition teaches us to treat “holy books” with respect. For instance, we kiss a Siddur or Humash if it falls to the floor. These books are considered “holy” since they contain G-d’s name in Hebrew in its full form (Yud Hey Vav Hey). True, this teaches us to have a certain respect for G-d, but since we believe we are all created in G-d’s image, then each person has a bit of G-d in them, and therefore, we can extrapolate that if we must treat a book made of paper and ink with such respect, then we must treat people with as much, if not more, respect.

Our tradition is full of rituals for caring for people when they die – many have been the subject of this column. Again, our tradition also dictates how to properly dispose of ritual objects when no longer usable or needed. These objects are collectively called Shemot meaning “names” – since they contain G-d’s full Hebrew name. Siddurim, Humashim, Tefillin, Torah scrolls, Mezuzot parchments, Tallitot are among the objects that are included in this category. (Kippot are not; they are simply pieces of cloth.)

Shemot items are collected and then periodically buried in a Jewish cemetery – thus, we learn that if we are to properly bury unusable ritual items, we must also properly bury people! The synagogue office maintains a box for burial – if you have items that are damaged, or worn out and need to be buried, please bring them to TBS. As part of the upcoming Mitzvah Day project, there will be an activity to sort through the material and prepare it for burial. Obviously, there is no need to bury items that do not fit the description of Shemot, and those items that do need burial will be packed in boxes for later transport to the cemetery. This is a mitzvah for all members of the family.