QUESTION FOR PEOPLE WHO EMBRACE JUDAISM WHOLE-HEARTEDLY ONLY!!! Could you please explain one simple thing?

Question

Why do you always put a small rock on top of a loved one's tombstone while visiting a cemetery?!?


I have seen that tradition done so many times and yet, it still baffles me...

Answer 1

I have no idea, at least not until the participant right above me kindly & generously informed us all, so I decided to give you a little treat by submitting those two fascinating and very interesting links for your enjoyment!




Good luck to you & enjoy your reading!

Answer 2

There are a few aspects to this tradition

In biblical times they did not use grave markers as we do- but a cairn was built over a grave in order to mark its location. This was very important as outside of known cemetaries they needed to know where graves were so as to prevent a Kohen getting too close and thus becoming tumah from the corpse unknowingly, and then offering sacrifices in a state of tumah! Also, for people who were going to the temple to offer sacrifices or were going to eat Trumah or maaser sheni they needed to be Tahor- and passing over a grave could render them tumah. Thus adding stones to the cairn was a practical matter that ensured the grave would reamin marked.

Another aspect is that it is a sign of respect for the dead. A grave with few stones would have been indicative of someone unimportant or with no family (otherwise frequent visitors would have built it up.)

Today, with headstones commonly being used, the custom persists as a sign of respect towards the dead person.

Answer 3

Back in the day it ment that by placing a stone on a grave you took part in building it. Now a days it reminds people that someone has been to visit.

Answer 4

I'm just here to see the answer.

Dang! Why you guys gotta thumbs down me?! I was curious...It was a good question and Steve gave a good answer. Dang!