Biblical and Jewish Views of Cremation ·
The following
is a simple compilation of reasons cremation is not viewed favorably by the
scriptures.
Hebrews 11.22 – concerning Joseph’s bones – The
patriarchs and believers of the OT were always buried. Their bones were often
moved later to a permanent burial site. Conversely, cremation was reserved for
the wicked, Lev 20.14; 21.9; Joshua 7.15; Mal 4.3. Pagans cremated to
facilitate the soul’s rise to heaven through the billowing flames of fire. Restoration Study Bible.
And if a man takes a wife and her
mother, it is wickedness; they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that
there be no wickedness among you. Lev 20.14
And the daughter of the man who is
a priest, if she begins to fornicate, she profanes her father; she shall be
burnt with fire. Lev 21.9
And it shall be that he that is
taken in the anathema shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he has because
he has broken the covenant of the LORD and because he has wrought folly in
Israel. Joshua 7.15
And ye shall tread down the wicked;
for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I make,
said the LORD of the hosts. Malachi 4.3
He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be
his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful and
unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and fornicators and sorcerers and
idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire
and brimstone, which is the second death. Rev 21.7-8
Cremation is a transgression of a Biblical law to bury
our dead, Code of
Jewish Law, Yorah Deah 348:3; 362:1.
· demonstrates a rejection of G‑d's supreme "ownership" over all of Creation.
· violates our legal responsibility to return what was loaned to us (our bodies) in as wholesome a state as possible:
· demonstrates a rejection of G‑d's supreme "ownership" over all of Creation.
· violates our legal responsibility to return what was loaned to us (our bodies) in as wholesome a state as possible:
Deut 21.23… his
body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt without fail bury
him that same day (for he that is hanged is accursed of God) that thy land not
be defiled, which the LORD thy God gives thee for an inheritance.
· constitutes a rejection of the Jewish belief of tzelem
Elokim (created in G‑d's image), Gen 1.27
· constitutes a rejection of the Jewish belief in resurrection of the dead, Dan 12.2
· (if done voluntarily, knowing fully the responsibilities) will cause the body not to be included among the Jewish People when the time of resurrection arrives,
· violates the biblical prohibition of following heathen practices, Lev 18.3
· upends the soul's natural separation and acclimation process, thus causing it additional untold pain,
· deviates from Jewish history and our forebears' and contemporaries' selfless and heroic efforts to properly bury our dead, and
· declares, in effect, that once the soul has departed the body, the lifeless body has no further value. Achiezer Vol. 3 #72
· constitutes a rejection of the Jewish belief in resurrection of the dead, Dan 12.2
· (if done voluntarily, knowing fully the responsibilities) will cause the body not to be included among the Jewish People when the time of resurrection arrives,
· violates the biblical prohibition of following heathen practices, Lev 18.3
· upends the soul's natural separation and acclimation process, thus causing it additional untold pain,
· deviates from Jewish history and our forebears' and contemporaries' selfless and heroic efforts to properly bury our dead, and
· declares, in effect, that once the soul has departed the body, the lifeless body has no further value. Achiezer Vol. 3 #72
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/510874/jewish/Why-does-Jewish-law-forbid-cremation.htm
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