What is a Jewish Cemetery: A Brief Overview

Cemeteries lie at the very heart of Judaism. Referred to as ‘houses of eternity’ and considered to be more sacred than synagogues, cemeteries function as the symbol of Judaism’s respect and responsibility for the deceased. In Judaism, cemeteries aren’t simple graveyards, they are a complex juxtaposition between sacrality and impurity.

Jewish cemeteries, or ‘btei hayyim’ are graveyards that follow strict Jewish customs of death, mourning, and burial. These graveyards are holy places that must be maintained by the community and must never be used for any other function. Even mourning on the grounds is kept to a minimum.

Jewish cemeteries are called bet hayyim (garden of life), or bet kevarot (place of graves), creating an interesting duality that’s worth exploring. If you’re attempting to understand Jewish customs, you should highly prioritize a good understanding of cemeteries.

Jewish Cemeteries: Protection from and of the Dead

According to halakhic law, the dead are seen as impure in Judaism, which is why it is advised to bury them as soon as possible. The time interval between death and burial used to be less than 24 hours, but now it has been extended up to 3 days in many places. Jewish Cemeteries are also supposed to be far away from any habitats, the minimum distance being 25 meters.

Yet, Judaism emphasizes the care of their burial grounds. Sanhedrin 96b highlights the respect Jews show for their gravestones, and this care is so profound that it rivals the grandeur of royal palaces. Every Jewish cemetery must always be maintained and kept clean by the community.

Intriguingly, Judaism also sees the dead as defenseless, and to be buried respectfully. No dead can remain unburied or abandoned, no matter their character or identity. A deceased Jew’s body will be protected till burial. Psalms may be read during this period to gain God’s favor for the dead.

What Does a Jewish Cemetery Look Like?

Cleanliness and maintenance of Jewish cemeteries are core focuses of Judaism. However, the cemeteries themselves are quite spartan, bereft of any garish decorations. Here are the key elements you’ll spot in a Jewish cemetery:

1. Cleanliness: This is a core ideology of death in Judaism. The dead are purified in three stages: rechitzah (washing), taharah (ritual purification), and halbashah (dressing). The tombs and the graveyard itself are always kept spotless.
2. Close Proximity: Graves are quite close to each other, with family members typically being buried together in a section. The closeness is attributed to either equality or a tradition to preserve space in the graveyard.
3. Plainness: Matthew 23:29 states, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous.” Every Jewish cemetery must be well-maintained and clean, but they can never be extravagant. Every structure in the graveyard, even the matzevot (headstone) of a grave must be minimalistic.
4. Respect: The dead and their residence is intensely respected. Which is why, it’s forbidden to do anything in a Jewish cemetery but to visit. Drinking, eating, leisure, or studying are all prohibited. Nothing may disturb their peace.
5. Brevity: Every Jewish cemeterial ritual is brief and terse. Selecting a burial ground, preparing the body and ground, or mourning all have a designated short duration.
6. Simple Graves Only: The dead in Judaism are buried in a simple wooden coffin, without any options for an open casket. Many Jewish religious movements avoid autopsy, embalming, or cremation as they find decaying to be a natural process for the dead’s atonement.
7. Permanence: The dead cannot be disturbed. Jewish customs forbid the removal or opening of the casket once the burial has been completed.

A key feature of Jewish graveyards used to be that they were exclusive to followers of Judaism only. However, many parts of the world now allow Jews to be buried in a mixed religion cemetery under certain restrictions.

Family Estates at Bakerview

It is an ancient custom in Judaism to own the land in life where you shall rest in death. Abraham had brought a grave for Sarah, and Joseph was buried in land that Jacob had acquired in Shechem. The burial grounds must be exclusive to Jews and belong permanently to them, with separate entrances for Jews and non-Jews. It’s a tradition that Bakerview Memorial Cemeteries is fully equipped to deal with.

At Bakerview, we cater to all faiths, religions, and cultures, and offer feature family estates that strictly adhere to the religious customs of our clients. We are well-versed in the customs regarding kevurah and provide proper care and maintenance of the grounds. As we are offering a 10% reduction in pricing for Fall 2024, a consultation and a visit are well worth your time.

Conclusion

Jewish cemeteries hold deep religious significance, reflecting both respect for the deceased and the sanctity of burial grounds. They maintain strict traditions, including cleanliness, simplicity, and permanence. The careful observance of these customs, from burial rituals to cemetery maintenance, underscores Judaism’s reverence for the dead and the importance of preserving these sacred spaces.