Burying Religious Articles: Difference between revisions
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==Forms of | {{#ev:youtube|sgSySvLlA34|480|right|Description of Actual Geniza in Israel (Hebrew)}} | ||
Geniza (Trans. burial; Hebrew: גניזה) refers to a ritual respectful manner of disposing of religious articles. A Sefer Torah or Sefer, holy book, which are worn out or have no more use are collected and organized for a geniza to bury it properly with honor. From a shtender to printed divrei Torah there is a discussion of which items require geniza and how. | |||
#Divrei Torah which are written in any font or language need [[Geniza]].<ref> | ==Forms of Writing== | ||
#However, Divrei Torah written in mirror image fonts don’t need [[Geniza]].<ref>Kaf | #Divrei Torah which are written in any font or language need [[Geniza]].<ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 154:5 establishes that a Sefer Torah which was worn out needs gezina. Magen Avraham 154:9 writes that other Sefarim also need geniza. Ginzei Hakodesh 1:1 and 11:5 takes this further and writes that any dvar torah of a part of a pasuk, statement of chazal, halacha or the like written in any language or font needs geniza. He cites Shulchan Aruch O.C. 154:5, 240:6, 334:12, Y.D. 282:10, Mishna Brurah 154:7, 24, 240:23, 334:30, and Biur Halacha 334:12 s.v. oh.</ref> | ||
#However, Divrei Torah written in mirror image fonts don’t need [[Geniza]].<ref>Kaf HaChayim on Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 154:38 writes that letters that are written backwards making up a Dvar Torah don’t need [[geniza]] as it’s not considered letters. This is also the opinion of the Maharsham 3:39 and Ginizei HaKodesh 11:7 in name of Rav Elyashiv. </ref> | |||
#Divrei Torah written in Brail need [[Geniza]].<ref>Ginizei HaKodesh 11:7 in name of Rav Elyashiv </ref> | #Divrei Torah written in Brail need [[Geniza]].<ref>Ginizei HaKodesh 11:7 in name of Rav Elyashiv </ref> | ||
#Divrei Torah written in microscopic font, some say they do need [[Geniza]], but some are lenient if there’s no name of Hashem.<ref>Ginizei HaKodesh 11:7 in name of Rav Elyashiv says that microscopic font doesn’t need [[Geniza]], while Rabbi Karlitz holds they do need [[Geniza]]. </ref> | #Divrei Torah written in microscopic font, some say they do need [[Geniza]], but some are lenient if there’s no name of Hashem.<ref>Ginizei HaKodesh 11:7 in name of Rav Elyashiv says that microscopic font doesn’t need [[Geniza]], while Rabbi Karlitz holds they do need [[Geniza]]. </ref> | ||
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===Torah Texts=== | ===Torah Texts=== | ||
#Texts with Torah written on them should be buried in [[shaimos]].<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 10:3:19 quoting Rav Elyashiv </ref> | #Texts with Torah written on them should be buried in [[shaimos]].<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 10:3:19 quoting Rav Elyashiv </ref> | ||
===God in English=== | ==="God" in English=== | ||
#A paper that says God in English may be thrown away and does not need to be buried.<ref>Mishna Brurah 85:10 </ref> The same is true of writing Hashem whether in English or in Hebrew.<ref>Iggerot Moshe YD 2:138, Ginzei Hakodesh 7: footnote 8 </ref> | #A paper that says "God" in English may be thrown away and does not need to be buried.<ref>Mishna Brurah 85:10 </ref> The same is true of writing Hashem whether in English or in Hebrew.<ref>Iggerot Moshe YD 2:138, Ginzei Hakodesh 7: footnote 8 </ref> | ||
===Mara Mekomot=== | ===Mara Mekomot=== | ||
#Marah Mekomot, which are a list of references, and even if some words are jotted down but it is only understood by the one who wrote it, doesn't have kedusha and can be thrown out.<ref>Igrot Moshe YD 2:75</ref> | #Marah Mekomot, which are a list of references, and even if some words are jotted down but it is only understood by the one who wrote it, doesn't have kedusha and can be thrown out.<ref>Igrot Moshe YD 2:75</ref> | ||
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#Many poskim write that one should not write a pasuk on an invitation as most people simply throw these away.<ref>Iggerot Moshe 2:135, Ginzei Hakodesh 9:5, Halichos Shlomo [[Tefilla]] 20:footnote 72. [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/786134/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Hilchos_Siddur_Kiddushin# Rav Hershel Schachter in a shiur on yutorah.org] (min 1-2) agrees.[http://www.star-k.org/articles/kashrus-kurrents/647/undercover-shaimos-guidelines/ Rav Moshe Heinemann], however, writes that the pasuk of od yeshama is only a melitza and not written as a pasuk and is therefore permitted. </ref> | #Many poskim write that one should not write a pasuk on an invitation as most people simply throw these away.<ref>Iggerot Moshe 2:135, Ginzei Hakodesh 9:5, Halichos Shlomo [[Tefilla]] 20:footnote 72. [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/786134/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Hilchos_Siddur_Kiddushin# Rav Hershel Schachter in a shiur on yutorah.org] (min 1-2) agrees.[http://www.star-k.org/articles/kashrus-kurrents/647/undercover-shaimos-guidelines/ Rav Moshe Heinemann], however, writes that the pasuk of od yeshama is only a melitza and not written as a pasuk and is therefore permitted. </ref> | ||
#Pesukim should not be placed in newspapers since the people will throw them away.<ref>Rav Elyashiv in Kovetz Teshuvot 1:115. This is based on the Shach 283:4 who writes that the reason Shulchan Aruch 283:4 says one shouldn't write pesukim on a Tallit is because someone may come to throw it away. </ref> | #Pesukim should not be placed in newspapers since the people will throw them away.<ref>Rav Elyashiv in Kovetz Teshuvot 1:115. This is based on the Shach 283:4 who writes that the reason Shulchan Aruch 283:4 says one shouldn't write pesukim on a Tallit is because someone may come to throw it away. </ref> | ||
==Procedure of Geniza== | |||
===Strict Geniza for Sefer Torah=== | |||
# A Sefer Torah, Neviim, or Ketuvim written on Klaf properly, Tefillin, Mezuzah need to have Geniza inside an earthenware container buried under the ground. Some say the actual Tefillin Shel Rosh also needs this type of Geniza.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:1</ref> | |||
# One earthenware container can be used for a Sefer Torah, Tefillin, and a Mezuzah together and don't need to be separated.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:1</ref> | |||
# Today the practice is to bury a Sefer Torah and similar items in plastic containers, which don't degrade, and seal them.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:2</ref> | |||
# A Sefer Torah that got wet ideally it should be left to dry before burying it, however, it isn't obligatory.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:3</ref> | |||
# A Sefer Torah that is in a state of decay and are moist shouldn't be buried together with a good Sefer Torah.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:3</ref> | |||
===Standard Geniza for Items of Kedusha=== | |||
# All other items that require geniza, such as holy books, ''Sefarim'', do not need to be sealed in an earthenware container. However, they should be covered in nylon before being buried. If they're buried in a construction site, which is protected from the elements can be buried as is.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:4</ref> | |||
# This category includes parts of a Sefer Torah, Tefillin, or Mezuzah that were cut off after they were made. Also the sinews of the Sefer Torah are in this category.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:5</ref> | |||
# Items that serviced kedusha, ''tashmishei kedusha'', such as an Aron Kodesh or the polls of a Sefer Torah do not need to be covered before being buried.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:4</ref> | |||
# It is permitted to bury within the same container items of different levels of kedusha such as newspapers with mundane sections and also Divrei Torah.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:6</ref> | |||
===Depth=== | |||
# Geniza should be buried so that there is 3 tefachim of dirt on top of it and if that isn't possible, at least 1 tefach of dirt on top.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:10</ref> | |||
===Location=== | |||
# Items which need the strict geniza, such as a Sefer Torah, should be buried with a Talmid Chacham or next to him. Today the practice is to bury them next to a cemetery. If it is impossible, it is possible to bury them far away from a cemetery.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:7</ref> | |||
# Standard geniza can be done anywhere.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:8</ref> | |||
##It is sometimes recommended to do it where construction garbage is disposed since it isn't likely to be uncovered. However, it should be covered with dirt immediately.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:8</ref> | |||
# It is forbidden to bury geniza in a place that it is likely that it'll be uncovered and disgraced.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:9</ref> | |||
# A geniza which is left open for more to be added from time to time should be kept protected from the elements.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:10</ref> | |||
# It isn't necessary to mark where the geniza is buried, though it is a good idea because sometimes it could be disgraced by accident.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:11</ref> | |||
# If a geniza was cemented over it can be use as a path or street. Similarly, geniza can be buried under a building, even if in the building above it are a bathroom, bathhouse, or mikveh.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:12 quoting Rav Elyashiv</ref> If it wasn't cemented over there is a dispute if people should walk over area used for burying geniza.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15 fnt. 25 citing Emet Lyakov 276 fnt 197 as lenient and Tzitz Eliezer 15:8 as strict. </ref> | |||
===Bagging=== | |||
#When bagging the geniza it isn't critical to ensure that the pages or items are organized in a neat fashion. However, the container should be closed well.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:13</ref> | |||
# It isn't critical to be sure that Neviim and Ketuvim aren't on top of Chumashim. If one does notice this one should fix their positioning.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:14</ref> | |||
# It is permitted to place the bags of geniza on the ground before they are buried.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:15</ref> | |||
#It is permitted to throw the bags of geniza in the ground to be buried and they don't need to be placed gently.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:15</ref> | |||
# The bags of geniza should not be trampled. In an extenuating circumstance it is permitted.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:16</ref> | |||
# Often tattered or ripped parts of Sefarim get mixed with dirt in the burial process. They should be collected and buried. If they can't be collected they should buried with the dirt.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:18</ref> | |||
===Burning or Disgrace=== | |||
# It is forbidden to burn items that require geniza.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:19</ref> | |||
# It is forbidden to leave the geniza in an abandoned or ownerless area since it can come to be disgraced.<ref>Ginzei Hakodesh 15:23</ref> | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
