Is it permissible for Cohanim (members of the Jewish priesthood) to go to gravesites of righteous people, like Rabbi Shimeon bar Yochai in Meron, Rabbi Meir Ba’al haNess in Tiberias, or Rabbi Yehonatan ben Uziel in Amuka?
Is it permissible for Cohanim (members of the Jewish priesthood) to go to gravesites of righteous people, like Rabbi Shimeon bar Yochai in Meron, Rabbi Meir Ba’al haNess in Tiberias, or Rabbi Yehonatan ben Uziel in Amuka?
There are several answers to this (Sdei Chemed 1:4), including lenient opinions based on the sages’ maxim that “the Righteous do not generate impurity …,” but most opinions do not permit it.
The Rebbe also holds the stringent opinion, backed by an answer of the Alter Rebbe’s brother, Rabbi Yehuda Leib. The Rebbe also says that therefore at the resting place of the Previous Rebbe, a barrier was placed around the grave, while in many other Chassidic circles, they are lenient. (Nitai Gavriel, laws of mourning 8:2 70:1)
There are additional authorities that hold a lenient opinion because of the style of burial in ancient times that made it permissible for a Cohen to enter (“Nivneh kifin al gabei kifim”). It is preferable to be stringent, but if a Cohen does go to the gravesite of a righteous person, he has authorities to rely on.
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