LM_NET: Library Media Networking

Previous by DateNext by Date Date Index
Previous by ThreadNext by Thread Thread Index
LM_NET Archive



Hi. I am sorry if this is redundant, but after reading the responses to this
TARGET, I feel I have to add a bit more, and clear up some facts.
Placing rocks on tombstones is a Jewish tradition.
It is not associated with any holiday, but is done whenever one visits
a grave site.
The origins of it are not exactly known, though the desert burial
explanation makes a lot of sense.

The_Jewish book of why_ says, "This is a symbolic act
 indicating that members of the family and friends have not forgotten
the deceased."  Not so helpful. _A time to mourn, a time to comfort_ by Ron
Wolfson, says "Many leave some grass or sod on the grave and a stone on
the marker as a sign of reburial." This makes sense, because it is a
"mitzvah" (commandment/good deed) to give the dead a proper funeral. By
placing a rock, you get "credit" for the mitzvah.

I remember reading somewhere that it is a
superstition, but I can't find the source. My father told me that the
reason Jews leave a stone, is that it is a non-Jewish custom to leave
flowers, so Jews don't do that. Of course, that is not completely true
today.

Sorry I couldn't have been more helpful, I hope this clears thing up
some.
Yapha Nussbaum
izzypg7@mvs.oac.ucla.edu


LM_NET Archive Home