![]() ![]() They last hundreds or thousands of years. The placing of stones on the grave of loved ones fits with the Jewish burial tradition. It’s simply a time to reflect on the deceased and their memory. There is no focus on flowery language, music, or celebration. Like the placing of stones on the grave, these traditions stand through the ages. This is the process of private mourning and reclusion and lasts around seven days. The family takes part in helping fill the grave with dirt.Īs part of mourning, the family reflects during what’s known as sitting shiva. The burial casket itself is plain, usually just wood. The event is usually very simple and straightforward. Unlike other religions, music and flowers are not permitted as part of the funeral ceremony. Burials typically take place within 24 hours of death, if possible. It lives on forever, and this is the legacy Jewish people want to leave for their families. They fade quickly, leaving behind nothing at all. Like the stone itself, this is a tradition that endures through time and change.įlowers might be a gift to the living, but they’re not a reflection of the impact we make on this earth. It’s only known that it’s been a part of Jewish burial tradition for thousands of years. There is no single start date for this practice. It’s since spread to Christianity, while Jewish people are still more likely to place rocks on graves. While flowers have become the symbol of death today, this was previously a pagan custom. ![]() Pebbles and rocks symbolize the legacy of the deceased in the hearts of family members. This likely began because things like flowers, food, and other materials decompose quickly. Historically, placing stones on graves was a practical solution. Ultimately, the truth likely lies somewhere in the middle. History of Putting Stones on a GraveĪs you see from the list of meanings above, there is a lot of diversity in the reasons why Jewish people continue to place stones on graves. This is a sign that the deceased person is in his or her family’s thoughts. When someone visits a grave, the site of rocks on the tombstone shows this is a site visited frequently. Future visitors would “clean” graves by refreshing these rock coverings. Because it was difficult to dig into the earth, stones and rocks would cover the bottle to complete the burial. In addition, in rocky, desert areas, shallow graves were common. Rocks and stones were left because this was all they had at the time. Because they lived in arid conditions, visitors didn’t have flowers or other ways to leave a sign that they visited the gravesite. Pay homage to family membersĪ common belief is that leaving stones is a way to pay homage to the deceased. Placing pebbles and rocks on the grave prevents these souls from taking over the souls of their loved ones. According to superstition, demons have the power to take possession of human souls. Keep evil spirits outĪnother reason is that Jewish people wanted to keep evil spirits and demons from these gravesites. In the meantime, mourners place stones on the graves to keep the soul from leaving its burial site. Some believe the soul waits until the final judgment. This reading suggests that the soul remains in the body for several days, weeks, or even a year after death. One of the first explanations is from the Talmud (the written compendium of Jewish oral tradition). However, a number of theories exist as to why this is such a common part of Jewish funeral traditions. It’s dated so far in the past that there’s no longer a single consensus on the explanation. the headstone) already being made of stone, why are smaller stones stacked on top? Why are these small stones placed on graves? With the gravemarker itself (i.e. In this guide, we’ll uncover the tradition behind stones on Jewish graves and other methods of Jewish condolences. There are a number of stories and superstitions surrounding this practice, though each family likely has their own take on this practice. Unique to Jewish tradition, people place pebbles, stones, and other small rocks on graves. Schindler’s List and the Stones on Schindler’s Grave.One of the most common burial traditions in the Jewish custom also involves stones on graves. There are headstones and gravestones in just about every cemetery, and these are a time-tested practice. Traditionally, they’re a way to mark the burial site in order to find it later. Rocks and stones have long been a way for people to honor their dead. ![]()
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