Ask The Rabbi

Ask The Rabbi

category:  Other

What do we get buried with? A Parochet?

Permitted Uses for A Used, Great Condition Parochet?
In Chicago area, due to demographics, an old synagogue has closed and merged with two others nearby. There is a surplus of Judaica, and holy objects, including a beautiful, large parochet ( in use for over 80 years ). It is being offered for sale. A friend from my boyhood who “grew up”, was married, and celebrated many life cycle events in the synagogue, now has a terminal illness and has asked me to acquire the parochet for him. He has indicated that he would like the parochet to cover his coffin during the funeral service and that it accompany him to the grave site prior to his burial. Please advise.

Thank you.

There are no hard and fast rules about white shirts. In general, a white shirt is considered to be a modest but respectable garment, and a person should wear clothing that is respectable.


Also, part of the day is spent standing in prayer in front of the Creator, and this certainly warrants respectable attire.


In any case, the main thing is not the external garments, but rather the spiritual ones, namely, a person’s thought, speech, and deed. Physical clothing is only a means to the end, the goal being purity of spiritual garments.

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