Going to the cemetery on Tisha b'Av

Hi,

Is it appropriate to visit a cemetery on Tishah b'Av?

The Talmud records a practice of visiting cemeteries on public fast days, and it offers two rationales:

• The visitor says he is "as though he is dead" in his suffering, and
• The visitor asks those who are buried there to pray on his behalf.

Commentators offer a third reason: the visitors are reminded that if they do not repent, they will meet the fate of those who are already in the cemetery.

Based on this ancient practice, many Jews visit cemeteries after concluding kinos on Tishah b'Av. For mystical reasons regarding impurity, some stay at least seven feet from the graves, or even refrain altogether.

Halachic authorities warn that people should not go to the cemetery on Tishah b'Av in groups, lest the visit lose the introspective and mournful character appropriate for Tishah b'Av.

(Taanit 16a, Tosafot ibid. Yotzin; Beit Yosef Orach Chaim 559:end; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 559:10, 579:3; Magen Avraham 559:3, 15; Mishneh Berurah 559:12, 41; Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 554:18, 559:7; Piskei Teshuvos 559:11)

המצפה לישועה,

Mordechai

The berachah upon seeing graves

Hi,

There is a berachah which is recited upon seeing graves of Jews [after not seeing graves of Jews for thirty days]. This berachah is recited when seeing graves even if one is outside the cemetery, but not simply upon perceiving that there is a cemetery in that space.

A blind person would not recite this blessing, even when standing in the cemetery.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 5:37:10)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Visiting the cemetery during Elul

Hi,

There is a Jewish practice of attending cemeteries before Rosh haShanah, and reciting prayers there. Historically, this has led some Jews to actually pray to the dead for help, but this has been highly controversial and debated by Jewish authorities for many centuries.

The Mishneh Berurah writes, regarding this practice of praying in cemeteries: One should not put his hope in righteous people. Rather, one should ask Gd to have mercy, in the merit of the righteous people buried there. One should give charity before one recites these prayers.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 581:4; Mishneh Berurah 581:27)

Have a great day,
Mordechai