THE BAIS HAVAAD HALACHA JOURNAL: Volume 5776 Issue XII Vayechi WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING A BURIAL PLOT Why is it the custom to buy a burial plot before death? By Rabbi Yehonassan Sasportas
In this week’s parsha, Yaakov Avinu commands his children to bury him in the Meoras Hamachpela. He gives them very specific details as to the location of the Meoras Hamachpela, and of those who were previously buried there.
The Netziv questions Yaakov Avinu’s intentions in giving such specific details. Didn’t his children already know where their grandparents were buried and where it is located? The Netziv explains that Yaakov Avinu’s intention was to convey to his children, and future generations, what to insist upon regarding matters relating to burial. By describing the location of Meoras Hamachpela, Yaakov was essentially teaching his children that they should make the effort to be buried in a holy place. So too, by emphasizing the Meoras Hamachpela is a place that Avrohom Avinu actually purchased, he was teaching them that it is important to be buried in a place that one owns, and not a place given to one as a gift. Finally, by reminding his children who is buried in the Meoras Hamachpela, Yaakov was teaching his children that one should be buried near one’s parents and forbearers.
In this week’s parsha, Yaakov Avinu commands his children to bury him in the Meoras Hamachpela. He gives them very specific details as to the location of the Meoras Hamachpela, and of those who were previously buried there.
The Netziv questions Yaakov Avinu’s intentions in giving such specific details. Didn’t his children already know where their grandparents were buried and where it is located? The Netziv explains that Yaakov Avinu’s intention was to convey to his children, and future generations, what to insist upon regarding matters relating to burial. By describing the location of Meoras Hamachpela, Yaakov was essentially teaching his children that they should make the effort to be buried in a holy place. So too, by emphasizing the Meoras Hamachpela is a place that Avrohom Avinu actually purchased, he was teaching them that it is important to be buried in a place that one owns, and not a place given to one as a gift. Finally, by reminding his children who is buried in the Meoras Hamachpela, Yaakov was teaching his children that one should be buried near one’s parents and forbearers.
No comments:
Post a Comment