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solemn oath that they will bury him in the Land
of Israel. Yosef – who will be the first of the
brothers to die - makes the same request, & Moshe
will take it upon himself to bring Yosef’s bones
to be buried in Shechem. So is burial in Israel a
great merit? While it certainly is for those who
live in Israel (or who die in Israel) it is a
different story for those who choose to live
outside Israel. The Gemara Yerushalmi records a
dispute between Rabi bar Kiri, who says that
burying non-residents in Israel defiles the Land
(as a corpse is the highest form of tuma,
impurity); while Rav Eliezer says it brings
atonement to all & "shortens" the journey to Olam
Haba (all souls must pass thru Israel on the
way). I would suggest that today, when Jewish
cemeteries around the world are constantly
vandalized & also in danger of being destroyed,
there is an added justification to burial in
Israel. BUT – living here is a much, much greater Mitzva!
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Rabbis in Midrash
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Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
