Being buried in Eretz Yisrael

Burying in Eretz Yisrael:[1]

It is a great Mitzvah and merit to be buried in Eretz Yisrael.[2] It is even permitted to unbury the remains of a person in the Diaspora for the sake of reburying him in Eretz Yisrael[3], and certainly one may initially bring the deceased from the Diaspora into Eretz Yisrael for burial.[4] This applies even if they did not request to be buried there.[5] [The allowance to unbury the body for the sake of reintering in Eretz Yisrael applies even if a Tnaiy was not made. Nonetheless, the widespread custom is to initially make a Tnaiy even when one intends to rebury the deceased in Eretz Yisrael.[6] In all cases, a Rav is to be contacted prior to making any decision.[7]] This is because the earth of Eretz Yisrael atones for the person, as the verse states “Vichiper Admaso Amo.”[8] One who is buried in Eretz Yisrael is considered as if he was buried under the altar.[9] Other merits received for being buried in Eretz Yisrael include: 1) Resurrection without needing to be rolled in tunnels towards Eretz Yisrael. 2) Being saved from Chibut Hakever.[10] 3) Being saved from infestation. 4) The soul goes straight up to heaven, as Chazal state[11] that all the souls are elevated through Yerushalayim, and one who is buried in Eretz Yisrael is considered as if he was buried under the altar.[12] 5) The soul is able to return to its grave on every Shabbos and Rosh Chodesh without difficulty.[13]

Taking deceased out of Israel:[14] A person who passed away in Eretz Yisrael, or whose body was brought to Eretz Yisrael, may not be buried in the Diaspora.[15]

Taking deceased out of Jerusalem, and other holy cities: See Halacha D!

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[1] See Gesher Hachaim 27:8

Laws relating to transporting the body: See Nitei Gavriel 131:4-5

[2] See Michaber 363:1-2

[3] Michaber 363:1; Nitei Gavriel Vol. 2 94:19

[4] Michaber 363:2; Rebbe Lezer in Yerushalmi Kilayim 8:4; Rebbe Eliezer in Midrash Raba Vayechi; Rav Huna was brought to Eretz Yisrael as stated in Moed Katan 25a; See Gesher Hachaim 27:8

Other opinions: Some are of the opinion that one should not bring a body from the Diaspora to be buried in Eretz Yisrael, and one who does so defiles the land with impurity. [Rebbe Bar Kiria in Yerushalmi Kilayim 9:3; Rebbe in Midrash Raba ibid; Zohar Teruma 141; See Gesher Hachaim ibid]

[5] Teshuvah Ral Ben Chaviv 63; Pischeiy Teshuvah 363:2

[6] So I received from various members of Chevra Kadisha; See Igros Kodesh 17:333, printed in Shulchan Menachem 5:259, for a case where a Tnaiy was made to rebury in Eretz Yisrael

[7] See all three letters of Rebbe ibid

[8] Shach 363:3

[9] Kesubos 111a

[10] Gesher Hachaim ibid; See however Meiam Loeiz ibid that this only applies to one who is buried on Erev Shabbos after midday in Eretz Yisrael

[11] Midrash Raba Vayikra

[12] Gesher Hachaim ibid; see also Meiam Loez Vayechi p. 794

[13] See Meiam Loez ibid

[14] Gesher Hachaim 2:11; Nitei Gavriel Vol. 2 94:20

[15] See Kesubos 110b