YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions
Answer: There are a few reasons to bury parts of the human body, and we will have to look at each one and see whether it applies to the tooth of a, baruch Hashem, live person.
Regarding the mitzva of kevura (burial), there is a major question whether the obligation applies even to an individual limb of a deceased person (see Mishna Lamelech, Avel 14:21). (If the majority of the corpse is present, all agree that the mitzva applies to every part of it.) There are those who say that while there is a mitzva of burial for an individual part of the body, this applies only for a dead person, where it is a disgrace for part of his body to be unburied and not to one who goes on living without the part (compare Noda B’Yehuda I, YD 90 and ibid. II, YD 209). The Igrot Moshe (YD I, 231) tries to prove that there is an obligation of burial even for an individual limb or a sizable amount of flesh of a live person from the fact that the gemara (Nazir 43b) needs a pasuk to say that a kohen may not make himself tameh in order to bury a limb of his live father. In any case, it appears that the majority opinion is like the Noda B’Yehuda (see Ateret Paz III, CM 7).
Even if the mitzva of burial does not apply, there are additional issues that could put limitations on what to do with a part of the body. A limb of even a live person is tameh (ritually impure) (Rambam, Tumat Met 2:3). As such it is not proper to allow such a limb to be in the open, where a kohen can come in contact with it. Another issue that could create requirements for proper disposal is if it is forbidden to receive benefit from the body part (see Binyan Tzion 119).
Let us now look into the matter of a tooth. The gemara (Berachot 5b) tells that Rabbi Yochanan would walk around and show people a bone from his tenth son to have died (Tosafot- he did so to console others who were distraught over tragedy). Commentators are troubled how Rabbi Yochanan could have acted in this way, as he should have, ostensibly, buried it. Rashi says that it was a tiny bone, smaller than the size of a grain of barley. The Rashbam (Bava Batra 116a) says that the ‘bone’ was actually a tooth, which is not tameh. Indeed, it says in the mishna (Ohalot 3:3) that neither hair, nor nails, nor teeth that are separated from the human body are tameh. Although not everyone explains that it was a tooth that Rabbi Yochanan kept, we do not have a clear indication that there is a fundamental machloket on the matter. It is not clear whether a tooth from the deceased is permitted in benefit (see Ran, Chulin 122a; Yabia Omer, III, YD 21). However, the tooth of a live person is not forbidden in benefit. Therefore, we are not aware of a halachic source or strong reason to place restrictions on what can be done with an extracted tooth.
There is a venerable source that talks about what to do with extracted or fallen teeth, but apparently not one that follows halachic lines. The Chida (Yosef Ometz 30) wrote to someone who was upset that his tooth, which he had been saving to have buried with him, was lost. The Chida told him that although such a custom is mentioned in Ma’avar Yabok, it is not clear that he agreed with it and that it seems to contradict the story of Rabbi Yochanan. The Tzitz Eliezer (X, 5:8) seems to dismiss the practice. It is also interesting that even this uncommon minhag does not require burying the tooth right away, as many require for limbs, but specifically waiting with it until burial of the person. This actually seems to discount the potential halachic stringencies as above. Therefore, we see no reason to take any special measures in regard to a tooth that is removed or falls from a person. (The matter of disposing of cut nails is a totally technical matter (i.e., it could cause damage- see Moed Katan 18a) that does not apply here.)
Bemare Habazak - Rabbis Questions (650)
Various Rabbis
19 - Question Behar
20 - Emor Question
21 - Question Bechukotai
Load More
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.