Letter from Hackenburg, William B. & Ferstmann, B. H. & Morais, Sabato to Hackenburg, William B.; Ferstmann, B. H.; Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA; Apr 1872
- Title
- Letter from Hackenburg, William B. & Ferstmann, B. H. & Morais, Sabato to Hackenburg, William B.; Ferstmann, B. H.; Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA; Apr 1872
- Date Created
- 22 April 1872
- Format
- 4 pages on 2 sheets
- Language(s)
- English
- Source
- Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies
- Sabato Morais Collection, Box 1, Folder 31
- Has Format
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p36m33p3v/manifest.json
- Link to Colenda
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p36m33p3v
- Provenance
- Transfer of Custody from the Hebrew Education Society, 10 March 1913.
- Is Format Of
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx1FF31_18.xml
- content
-
Philada. April 22/72
Rev. Sabato Morais
Dear Sir
The undersigned have been appointed a Committee of the "Mount Sinai Cemetery Asso." to ascertain from you the Jewish Laws and usages relating to the removal of bodies interred in Jewish cemeteries and burying grounds, and, if it is not contrary to those laws and customs under what circumstances such removal should be permitted; the question being of importance and one which as been frequently agi-tated of late it is the desire of the Board of Officers of the Association to become fully acquainted with all the laws and usages bearing upon the subject, they have deemed it advisable to consult those versed in the Law
before adopting any definite rule, we would be under many obliga-tions if you would favor us with what laws you may be aware of and would be glad to have your views on the subject.
An early answer will receive the thanks of
Yours Truly
Wm B Hackenburg
20 N. 3rd St.
B. H. Ferstmann
519 Market St
Committee of
"Mt. Sinai Cemetery Association."
Messrs Wm B. Hackenburg & B. H. Ferstmann.
Committee of Mount Sinai Cemetery Association.
Gentlemen! I hasten to reply to your note, received this morning.
You wish to ascertain," What are the Jewish laws and usages relating to the removal of bodies interred in Jewish cemeteries and burying grounds, and if not contrary to these laws and customs, under what circumstances, such removal should be permitted." I believe that the accompanying subjoined translation of these passages in a paragraph from the digest of our laws, known under the title of Shulchan Aruch, will afford the necessary information. I beg to forward it, with sentiments of due regard
S. Morais
Wednesday evening April 24th 1892.
#363 Yori Deá
1. We should take up neither a dead body, nor the bones thereof to have the same buried in another grave; whether both graves be considered equally good, or one be regarded better than the other. And it is unnecessary to state that the removal should not take place, if the body is to be deposited in a grave not as eligible as that in which it had first been interred. But to a family burial-ground, the removal may be allowed, though the [?] should not compare each with that from which the body had been exhumed; for, men prefer to lie where their parents are interred. So likewise, it may be permissible to exhume a body to have it buried in the holy land. However, when a the removal may take place in any manner, when a provision to that effect had originally been made. Should some fear be entertained that the body may be stolen, through religious prejudices, or that water be made to run through the grave, or should the latter have been opened in a certain ground, without the consent of the owner, in all such cases a removal is right and proper.
3. We should not gather up the remains of the departed, whether preserved in a coffin, or scattered through the grave, and put them elsewhere, in order to make room for another dead body, or with a view to make use of the ground.
7. It is prohibited to open a grave after it has been fully closed, though the action be urged by the relatives of the deceased, for the purpose of settling some legal disputes regarding the estate. - Identifier
- p36m33p3v
- identifier
- SMBx1FF31_18
Hackenburg, William B., Ferstmann, B. H., and Morais, Sabato, “Letter from Hackenburg, William B. & Ferstmann, B. H. & Morais, Sabato to Hackenburg, William B.; Ferstmann, B. H.; Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA; Apr 1872”, Sabato Morais Digital Repository, accessed October 18, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/morais/item/86644