PART II
The effect of cremation on the body and soul is a very serious issue. An improper burial, especially in a case in which the body is prevented from decaying in as expeditious a manner as possible, results in repercussions which are too frightening to imagine. One must note, however, that this does not apply to our many Jewish bretheren who died, sanctifying God's name, at the hands of our enemies, may their names be erased.
Many such victims of the holocaust, pogroms and such evils, died through fire etc. and , needless to say, did not have the benefit of a proper Jewish burial. What is the fate of their bodies and souls? A tragic incident is discussed in the Talmud Bavli in Gitten page 53B which provides an answer to this question. It is related that during the time of the destruction of the Second Temple, four hundred youths were captured in Israel and were being sent to Rome on ships. The children foresaw that they would become victims of immorality and abuse at the hands of their Roman captors. They decided it would be better to take their own lives but they were concerned that they might thereby forfeit their shares in the World to Come. Suddenly one of the children got up and quoted a verse from Psalms 44
Between teeth I'll bring you back from the depths of the sea.
Upon hearing this the girls threw themselves into the water and drowned. Another child then quoted from Psalms
We killed ourselves in your name and were counted as slaughtered sheep.
At this the boys, following the girls example, plunged into the depths of the sea and drowned themselves.
From these passages of the Talmud we learn that when Jewish victims perish in sanctification of G-ds name, even if they are not properly buried, their fate is entirely different from those who choose cremation or improper burial.
These Jewish victims receive special care. They are brought to G-d, so to speak, and placed before him to be cared for as little children being placed in the loving arms of their father. When one chooses, however , to be cremated or improperly buried (that is in a manner which hinders the decaying process), the consequences are almost unspeakable. The harsh torment and suffering, which the deceased will experience, will also be inflicted on those who were responsible for making the final arrangements, regardless of the wishes of the deceased. In other words, if a Jew requests to be cremated or buried improperly, his wishes must be disregarded. If his wishes are carried out, then those who help him will share in his hideous suffering.
If a Jew does not receive proper burial, his soul will literally roll around in the world of imaginations. Unable to find its resting place, the soul is thrown between the spheres of this world and the heavenly world. This causes devils with 10, 6, or 3 faces to take control of the lost soul. They kick it or throw it around.
They may squeeze it into a tiny stone or cut it into minute pieces. They might change it into a donkey, snake, monkey or cat. An improperly buried body will be whipped by devils with fire and will feel the pain as if it were still alive. The body will further be bombarded with ice balls which are colder than any temperature in our earthly experience. We can imagine 1000 degrees F below zero!
The body will feel the continuous pain of being frozen to death but the relief of death will never come to stop the pain. We must do everything in our power to save ourselves and our loved ones from this unnecessary torment. Each Jew is obligated to strive in every way possible, including financial sacrifice, to assure that their loved ones receive proper Jewish burial in accordance with Jewish Law.
Many of our Jewish people are unaware of the laws of proper treatment of the dead and of the magnitude of the suffering which results from failure to adhere to these laws. Having explained some of the basic concepts involved, we now call on our bretheren throughout the world to make every effort to follow the Torah laws regarding a Jewish burial and to encourage others to do the same.
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Part III - Proper Attitude
at a Jewish Funeral
Part IV - Visiting the
Sick
Part V - Vidui -
Confession
Part VI - The Law of a
Goses