Visiting the Graves of Tzadikim
When visiting gravesites of tzadikim, saintly people, there are several halachic issues that may arise. In this series with Rabbi Dovid Fink we will explore the following: a) Kohanim are prohibited from approaching human cadavers and visiting cemeteries (aside from attending the funerals of immediate relatives). Do the gravesites of tzadikim convey ritual impurity? What is the status of the tzadik’s body after death? b) The Torah of course prohibits prayer to anyone or anything other than God. Can you ask the deceased to protect you or to intervene for you in heaven?
Visiting the Graves of Tzadikim: Visiting the Graves of Tzadikim
Is it permitted to speak to the dead?
Is it permitted to ask the dead for help or for prayers?
In this series we will survey the opinions of the leading authorities defining what is permitted and what is prohibited when visiting the gravesites of tsaddikim and the gravesites of relatives.
Sources are available through the links in both WORD format and pdf.
In class we will translate and explain these sources.
Visiting the Graves of Tzadikim: Visiting the Graves of Tzadikim
Can kohanim visit the graves of tsaddikim?
The halachic controversy on this question revolves around the role of midrash and mystical sources in establishing halacha.
Although this is of special interest to kohanim, the methodological issues should interest everyone.
The source sheet was posted on the first class page for this course (21 June 2023).
In addition to being one of Rabbi Brovender's first students, Rabbi Dovid Fink is an outstanding expertﾠand teacher of Halacha. Rabbi Fink received his Rabbinic ordination from ITRI and the Mir and was awarded his Ph.D in Semitic Languages and Linguistics from Yale University. Rav Fink has taught thousands of students from all over the world for over 35 years.