The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-26
THE TALMUD'S BURIAL RITE.
From the CHICAGO Record.


Even in the remote ages of the patri-
archs respect was shown for the dead
by decorous burial, or by other appropri-
ate disposal of their remains. Mosaism
instituted laws, one of which reads:
Thou shalt not allow thy dead to remain
over night upon the bier, but bury him
upon the day of his demise" Executed
criminals, even. were still recognized as
of divine origin, and disposed of in a
humane manner. This in spite of the
fact that surrounding nations never per-
mitted such burials.
Aside from burying the dead, crema-
ton seems to have been resorted to only
in cases of epidemic and under singular
circumstances; as in the incineration of
Saul and his sons, owing to some cas-
ualty not stated in Biblical records. If
a custom of cremating kings and emf
nent persons prevailed after the incinera-
ton of Saul there is no evidence of il
given. The vague illusions of ''kindling
a fire. in certain instances probably i'm
piled that incense was burned in honor of
the dead. The sages of the talmud held
steadily to the Biblical law for burial
IN the ground. This was to guard against
dissertation of the body, and to Insure
that the departed might not be deprived
of forgiveness in his future life. The res
direction of the body was devoutiy be-
lieyed in in those days, and this law
touching burial rites was vigorously en-
Joined. None could refuse burial to his
own kin. In many instances persons SIX
ed for interment in Palestine because il
was deemed that its soil was like to
an altar. Ground was often secured
wherein whole families were to be hurled
and 1t was particularly enjoined that no
heir could sell or dispose of it. Should
he so transgress the law he could be com
PEELED to return the purchase money.
The time for burial was set from the
moment when death ensued, and TO nre-
vent a body from being Inferred IN a
comatose state three days were allowed
to elapse before burial. Should this rule
be dtsobeyed it was termed a murderous
act and so punishable. An exception was
made for the city of Jerusalem, in which
no body could remain over night But to
still guard against living burials the
caVated inches, which were left open TO
be inspected for period of three days
Inc law regarding TINS inspection was
rigidly, adhered to-. 1t required that such
sepulchers should be opened on the third
day. The talmud, indeed, relates that
seemingly dead persons were resuscitated
after burial.
1t was not deemed ethical for children of
dead parents to hasten the burial. This
period was even prolonged for a more
elaborate ceremony, or especially on ac-
count of rainy weather.
According to the Mosaic laws the prepar-
alton of the dead required that the near
est relatives close the eyelids and the
mouth. The body was then washed in
warm water and oil and perfumes we're APP
piled. The burning OF incense was en-
couraged especially in case where persons
died OF diseases Of the digestive organs.
1t Is evident that the pOmp, extraordi-
nary expenses and excessive lamentations
prior TO the talmudic era were greatly di-
mlnsned by the seers or the talmud after
abe second statehood IN Palestine. Fla
vlus Josephus has described how grand
were such funerals when kings and no.
Dles We're the subjects. Indeed, these vast
outlays frequently deferred relatives from
giving burial 10 their dead. Rabbi CANA
he raised his voice against these extrava-
that the dead should not be inferred ex-
cept 10 snrOud8 Of linen.
From this time on the form OF inter-
meufa became the same, 80 that the poor
could bury their dead quite az respectfully
o. did fht rich. Can4aliel ser the example
in ais own testament, wherein he fmDHa-
sized tie request that be 10 buried "a ms