From the Rav’s Desk: Distances between graves in a cemetery

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  1. Question: [Tuesday, 13th Marcheshvan 5782]

How much space must there be between graves in a cemetery and what is one to do if there is not enough space in the cemetery to have the proper distance between the graves?

 

Answer:

Ideally there is to be a minimum of six Tefachim [i.e. 48 centimeters] between each grave, whether the graves are lying next to each other or on top of each other. This regulation, however, only applies if it is possible to bury the bodies at this distance. If, however, there is no other viable burial option, such as there is no other cemetery available, and there is no space in the cemetery, then certainly one may bury them next to each other even though there isn’t a six Tefach distance between them.  Accordingly, it was accustomed in many cemeteries to bury the dead without a six Tefach distance, as there was simply not enough burial space. Nevertheless, one should keep a distance of 6 finger worth’s, 12 centimeters, between the graves.

Sources: Michaber 362:4; Tur 362:4 in name of Rav Haiy Gaon; Shach 364:4; Shvus Yaakov 2:95, brought in Pischeiy Teshuvah 362:3, that these regulations were only established in an area with a lot of burial land available. Teshuvas Chacham Tzevi 149, brought in Gilyon Maharsha 362:3 and Yad Avraham 362; Rav Akiva Eiger 362; Bach 362; Chochmas Adama Matzeivas Moshe 10; See Gesher Hachaim 27:5; Darkei Chesed 17:3

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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