RRT 142-144

GENTILE FUNERALS ON THE SABBATH

QUESTION:

Is it permissible for a Jew to participate in a Gentile funeral on the Sabbath? (Asked by Rabbi Steven L. Jacobs, Birmingham, Alabama.)

ANSWER:

YOUR QUESTION as to whether it is proper to participate in a funeral of a Christian on the Sabbath is an interesting one because it involves a balancing of posi tive and negative factors. First the positive factors: Is it proper for a Jew to participate in the funeral of a Christian? The answer is definitely yes. The Talmud, in Gittin 61 a, says that we are in duty bound to visit the sick and bury the dead and comfort the mourners of Gentiles. This is confirmed as law in Yore Deah 151:12 and 367:1. See the whole discussion in Current Reform Responsa, p. 175.

The second positive factor is as follows: Granting that a Jew may participate and, in fact, is urged to help Gentiles bury their dead, etc., may he, however, go to the Gentile cemetery? One might say he could fulfill his duty at the funeral parlor or the home. To this second question the answer is also yes. The Talmud, in Taanis 16a, speaks of visiting the cemeteries on fast days in order to achieve the mood of penitence, and Isserles (in Orah Hayyim 579:3) says that on fast days, if no Jewish cemeteries are available, we may visit Gentile cemeteries.

Now as to the negative factor: What about visiting the cemetery on the Sabbath? First of all, it must be clear that it is forbidden to have the funeral of a Jew on the Sabbath. The Tosfos to Baba Kama 81a top says that the reason we may not have the funeral of a Jew on the Sabbath is because it would be shameful to the dead to violate the laws of the Sabbath in his behalf. See also Kol Bo Al Avelus, p. 197, par. 3 8. But a Gentile is not required to observe the Sabbath. Therefore there is no objection to his funeral taking place on the Sabbath. The only question is of the Jew violating the laws of the Sabbath. Strictly speaking, a Jew may not violate the Sabbath for any reason unless, of course, danger to life is involved. But if, for example, the cemetery were within walking distance, there would be no objection to the Jew going to the cemetery. With most less Orthodox Jews who do ride on the Sabbath, this riding would hardly be considered a sin.

One might add the question of Oneg Shabbat, the joy of the Sabbath, which might be marred by attending a funeral. However, if it is a close friend, the sorrow of his death is already there, and attending the funeral might even be a bit of consolation. If it is a public personality who is not a close friend (and the refusal to attend his funeral might harm the community), then no violation of the joy of the Sabbath is involved.

To sum up: Aside from the question of the Sabbath, it is a mitzvah to join the Gentile friends and participate in the funeral and also to go to the cemetery. If, however, the funeral is on the Sabbath, certainly an Orthodox Jew who refrains from riding on the Sabbath should not go. But as for others who do ride on the Sabbath, it would be illogical to avoid this gesture of friendship.