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Embalming is the filling of parts of a dead body
with (aromatic) substances to prevent decay &
putrefaction. Egyptians, experts at this ancient
art, believed an embalmed body insured a pleasant
after-life. Some poskim hold that embalming is
allowed in certain circumstances, such as for a
delayed burial like Yakov’s, due to honoring the
dead (kavod ha-met).Others allow it only if no
cuts are made in the body, while others prohibit
any type of embalming whatsoever & this is the
normative Halacha today, because the decay of
the body is a necessary element in the granting
of kapara, atonement. In fact, if the deceased
left orders to be embalmed after his death, we
disregard those instructions. As for Yakov &
Yosef, both of whom were embalmed, some say Yakov
asked to be embalmed; others say Yosef erred by
allowing/ordering Yakov to be embalmed; still
others say that, as VIP’s in Egypt, the ruling
authorities would have insisted that these great
men, like the Pharaohs, should also be embalmed.
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?
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