Cemetery on Shabbos

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Times that one is not to visit a cemetery:[1]

One is to avoid visiting a cemetery on Rosh Chodesh[2], Shabbos and Yom Tov.[3] However practically today the custom has become to visit graves on Rosh Chodesh.[4] However one is not to recite the Maaneh Lashon or other lamentations, although he may ask requests or recite Tehillim.[5] One may certainly visit the grave of Tzaddik on Rosh Chodesh to pray for an ill person.[6]

Yartzite:[7] One who has a Yartzite on Shabbos or Rosh Chodesh is to visit the grave on Erev Rosh Chodesh[8], or the day after Rosh Chodesh.[9]

[1] See Gesher Hachaim chapter 29; Nitei Gavriel 83/1-4

[2] Kol Bo brought in Beir Hagoleh Yoreh Deah 344/20 [regarding Rosh Chodesh even if falls on seventh of Shiva] Alef Hamagen 581/110; Mishmeres Shalom 5/129

[3] Shaar Hayichudim of Arizal p. 5 [the souls are not by the graves]; Alef Hamagen 581/110; Mishmeres Shalom 5/129

The reason: As on these days the souls of the Tzaddik are not found in their graves. [Arizal in Shaar Hayichudim p. 5]

[4] Gesher Chaim Vol. 1 ch. 29 [p. 259]; Nitei Gavriel 83/3 footnote 3; Daas Torah 581 [brought in Nitei Gavriel ibid]

The reason: As the avoidance is only to prostrate oneself on the grave and recite the accustomed lamentations [Maaneh Lashon]. However to pray by the grave was never intended to be forbidden even by the above Poskim. [Gesher Hachaim]

[5] Nitei Gavriel ibid

[6] Mishmeres Shalom 5/29

[7] See Nitei Gavriel Aveilus 2 76/12 p. 576

[8] Ikarei Hadaat 36/35; Kaf Hachaim 568/94 regarding a Yartzite that falls on Shabbos; See also Likkutei Sichos 19 p. 130 regarding Tzedaka; Igros Kodesh 14/324; Sefer Hasichos 10th Shevat 1957

[9] Gesher Hachaim 32/5

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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