1דיני המלקט עצמות. ובו י' סעיפים:המלקט עצמות אביו או של שאר קרובי' שמתאבלים עליהם מתאבל עליהם כל היום כולו בכל הדברים הנוהגים באבל בכפיית המטה ועטיפת הראש ונעילת הסנדל ותשמיש המטה ורחיצה וסיכה ולערב אין מתאבל עליהם אפילו צרורים לו בסדינו היה עומד ומלקט וחשכה לו מותר ביום שלאחריו לפיכך אין מלקטין אותם סמוך לחשכה כדי שלא יהיה נמצא שלא התאבל על ליקוט עצמות אביו. (ואין אנינות בליקוט עצמות רק חל עליו אבלות מיד) (טור בשם הרא"ש):
One who collects his father's [or his mother's] bones2M.K. 8a. or [the bones] of other near-of-kin for whom one observes mourning rites,3N in T.H. Thus also Asheri M.K. I, derived from Sem(H). XII, 7 in accord with R. Akiba. mourns for them all day4M.K. ibid. in [that he observes] all matters which apply to a mourner, [viz.,] by over-turning the couch, muffling the head, [by debarring himself from] wearing shoes, [from] using the conjugal couch, [from] bathing and annointing himself.5N in T.H.; Asheri and R. Yeruḥam. However, in the evening one does not observe mouring rites for them, even if he had them by him tied up in a sheet.6M.K. ibid., Tosaf. s.v. ולערב. Rashi (ibid.) explains that this means even if he himself did not collect the bones and did not see them, mourning still obtains for one day. [If] he was standing and collecting [the bones] and night fell, he is permitted [the aforementioned matters which are forbidden to a mourner], on the following day. Therefore, one should not collect them close to nightfall so that it should not turn out that he observed no mourning rites for the collection of his father's [or mother's] bones.7Sem(H). XII, 4. Since only the parents are mentioned, it follows that in the case of other near-of-kin, one may collect bones close to nightfall — A.H. Aninuth8 Glos. and supra § 34 does not [take effect] in [the case of] a collection of bones [for final burial];9He is therefore, permitted to eat meat and drink wine which is forbidden to an Onen (v. supra § 341), but mourning becomes effective forthwith, even prior to the final burial of the collected bones. supra § 375, 7. A Kohen is forbidden to collect the bones of his father lest the corpse is defective, in which case he is for-bidden to defile himself for him (v. supra § 373, 9) — ShaK, Derisha. only mourning rites become effective forthwith.10Tur on the authority of Asheri — G.
2כל שקורע עליו בשעת מיתתו קורע עליו בשעת ליקוט עצמות וכל שאינו מתאחה בשעת מיתתו אינו מתאחה בשעת ליקוט עצמות:
Whosoever rends [garments] for him at the time of his death, rends [garments] for him at the time of [his] bone-collection; and every [rent] which is not resewn at the time of his death, is not resewn at the time of [his] bone-collection.11Sem(H). XII, 3 cited by N and Asheri.
3עצמות אין עומדין עליהם בשורה אבל אומרים תנחומין לעצמם ואין מברין עליהם בחבר עיר אבל מברין עליהם בביתו ואין אומרים עליהם קינה ונהי אבל אומרים עליהם קילוסין: (דהיינו שבחו של מת ומשבחין להקב"ה שממית ומחיה) (בטור תמצא מבואר):
[With respect to] bones [which are collected for final burial], one does not stand for them in the line [of comforters], but one says words of comfort on their own account.12e., one tells the praise of the departed in accordance with their deeds. One does not provide the mourner's meal for them13e., on account of the collected bones. in the town-group,14e., publicly. For the meaning of חבר עיר v. supra § 355 and notes. Sem. has, ‘One does not go up for them etc.’ but one provides the mourner's meal for them in his15Sem(H). has, ‘in the mourner’s house.’ house.16Sem(H). XII, 4; N in T.H.; Asheri. Cf. also Sem(H). XI, 2; ibid. Int. II, 11, pp. 46-47. One does not recite for them lamentations and elegies, but one says for them [words of] praise,17Y.M.K. I, 5(80d) ; Y.Pes. VIII, 7(36b). Thus also Yad, Ebel XII, 6-8; Alfasi; N in T.H.; Asheri. [i.e.,] the praise of the departed [whose bones were collected] and one praises the Lord who puts to death and makes alive.18You will find this explained in the Tur — G.
4אין מלקטין עצמות אביו במועד ואין צריך לומר עצמות שאר קרובים:
One may not collect his father's [or mother's] bones on [Hol-] ha-Moed, and needless to say, the bones of other near-of-kin.19Yad, Ebel XI, 3 derived from Mishna M.K. 8a in accord with R. Jose, for the principle is that wherever there is a difference of opinion between R. Meir (who permits this, ibid.) and R. Jose, we rule in accord with R. Jose. The Mishna ibid. adds, ‘for it is an occasion of mourning for him.’
5שמע שהיום לקטו עצמות אחד מקרוביו שהוא מתאבל עליהם אף על פי שלא היה שם מתאבל עליהם. (אבל שמע שנלקטו אתמול אין מתאבל עליהם) (טור בשם הירושלמי):
One who heard that today they collected the bones of his near-of-kin for whom he observes mourning rites, — although he was not [present] there, — observes mourning rites for them.20Y. ibid. in accord with R. Ḥaggai. A woman whose husband died and she remarried and subsequently the bones of her first husband were collected for final burial, is not required to observe mourning rites for him on the day that his bones are collected, for her second marriage releases her from her previous relationship — P.Tesh. Cf. supra § 362, n. 16. But if he heard that [the bones] were collected yesterday, he does not observe mourning rites for them.21Tur on the authority of Y. — G.
6אין מפרקין את העצמות ולא מפסיקין את הגידים:
One must not take apart the [collected] bones nor sever the sinews.22Sem(H). XII,
7ליקוט עצמות אינו אלא משיכלה הבשר כלה הבשר אין הצורה ניכרת בעצמות לפיכך יכול ללקט בידו עצמות אביו ואמו ואעפ"כ נכון הדבר שלא ילקטם הוא עצמו מההיא דרבי אליעזר בר צדוק דבסמוך:
A collection of bones [for final burial] is made only after the flesh has become decomposed;23Sem(H). XII, [for] once the flesh is decomposed, the shape of the corpse is no longer discernible through the bones.24This refers to a case where he himself collects the bones. However, if the collection is made before decomposition, he has to observe mourning for the entire day. supra § 375, Therefore, one may collect by himself25Lit. ‘with his hand.’ his father's and mother's bones. Yet, it is [more] proper that one should not collect them by himself. [This is derived] from that [which is related] about R. Eliezer b. Ẓadok [as stated] anon.
8מלקט אדם עצמות שני מתים כאחד בראש אפרסקל מכאן ובראש אפרסקל מכאן דברי רבי יוחנן בן נורי ר"א אומר סוף אפרסקל להתעכל וסוף עצמות להתעכל ונמצאו עצמות שני מתים מתערבים אלא מלקטין ונותנין כל אחד לעצמו בארון של ארזים א"ר אליעזר בר צדוק כך אמר לי אבא בשעת מיתתו מתחלה קברוני בבקעה ולבסוף לקוט עצמותי ותנם בארזים ואל תלקטם אתה בידך שלא יהיו בזויות עליך:
A person may collect the bones of two corpses at one time, [viz., he places the bones of one corpse] at the end of [his] epikarsion26The text has אפרסקל a corruption of אפיקרסין a sheet or anything similar to that. supra § 340, n. 59. on one side, and [the bones of another corpse] at the [other] end of the [same] epikarsion26The text has אפרסקל a corruption of אפיקרסין a sheet or anything similar to that. supra § 340, n. 59. on the other side. These are the words of R. Joḥanan b. Nuri. R. Akiba27Thus in Sem. says, eventually the epikarsion will rot and it will turn out that the bones of two corpses will be mixed up [which is forbidden]; [therefore], one should rather collect and place [the bones of] each one separately in a coffin of cedar wood. Said R. Eliezer b. Ẓadok, — thus said my father to me at the time of his death, — 'At first bury me in a depression28Lit. ‘a valley.’ supra par. 1, n. 1; § 363, 4; § 362, n. 3. and later [after the flesh is decomposed] collect my bones and place them in [a coffin] of cedar wood and do not collect them yourself,29Lit. ‘with your hand.’ A.H. who asks why R. Eliezer b. Zadok stated on the authority of his father not to collect the bones himself. In any case this was impossible since he was a Kohen? (v. supra par. 1, n. 9). however, Ya’abeẓ, Toledoth Yisrael VI, pp. 281-282. so that they do not become reprehensible to you'.30Sem(H). XII, 8-9.
9המלקט עצמות והמשמר את המת והמוליך אותם ממקום למקום פטור מק"ש ומתפלה ומהתפילין ומכל מצות האמורות בתורה בין בחול בין בשבת לא שנא עצמות קרובים לא שנא עצמות רחוקים בין אם הוא בספינה או בדרך ואפילו אם הם מלקטים רבים ואם רצה להחמיר על עצמו לא יחמיר מפני כבוד עצמות:
One who collects bones [for final burial] and one who guards the corpse and the one who carries them from place to place is exempt from the reading of the Shema,8 Glos. and supra § 341. from Tefillah,8 Glos. and supra § 341. from Tefillin8 Glos. and supra § 341. and from all religious duties enjoined in the Torah, both during a weekday as well as during the Sabbath,31This applies on the Sabbath only to guarding the corpse or the bones, for no collection of bones is made on the Sabbath. and there is no difference whether [these are] the bones of near-of-kin or of strangers, both if he is in a boat or on the road, even if the collectors [of the bones] are many.32This refers to those who collect the bones, but if there are many who guard the corpse or the bones, one guards and the other reads the Shema (v. O.Ḥ. § 71, 4) — ShaK. Cf. also supra § 341, 6, n. 51. If one desires to place himself under greater stringencies [than the law requires] he should not do so out of deference [to the collected] bones.32This refers to those who collect the bones, but if there are many who guard the corpse or the bones, one guards and the other reads the Shema (v. O.Ḥ. § 71, 4) — ShaK. Cf. also supra § 341, 6, n. 51.
10המוליך עצמות ממקום למקום ה"ז לא יתנם בשק או בדסקיא ויניחם על החמור וירכב עליהם מפני שנוהג בהם מנהג בזיון אבל אם מפשילו לאחוריו על החמור שפיר דמי ואם היה מתיירא מפני הגנבים והלסטים מותר: הגה והחי יתן אל לבו דברים של מיתה דיספד יספדוניה דיקבר יקברוניה דיטעון יטענוניה דידל ידלוניה וגדול השלום שניתן לצדיקים שבשעה שהצדיק נפטר ג' כתות של מלאכים נותנים לו שלום (הכל בטור והרא"ש וכל בו) ואומרים יבא שלום (כל הכתוב לחיים קדוש יאמר לו) : בלע המות לנצח ומחה ה' אלהים דמעה מעל כל פנים: תם ונשלם שבח לאל בורא עולם
One who carries bones from place to place should not put them in a sack or saddle-bag and place them across [the back of] an ass and sit on them, because it is a disrespectful way of treating them;33Ber. 18a. Cf. supra § 282, 3. The same would apply to one who transports the bones by any other means of conveyance — A.H. but if he throws it34The sack containing the bones. over his shoulder on the ass,35While he sits on the ass. it is all right.36Asheri. However, if he was afraid of robbers and rovers, it is permitted [to sit on them].37Ber. ibid. Gloss: [R. Meir used to say, it is written, 'It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting; for that is the end of all men] and the living will lay it to heart',38Eccl. VII, 2. [viz.,] matters pertaining to death; if one makes a lamentation, others will make a lamentation for him; if one helps at burial, others will bury him; if one carries [the bier], others will carry him; if one raises [his voice in funereal lamentations], others will raise [their voice] for him.39M.K. 28b a.e. Great is the peace that was given to the righteous, for when a righteous man departs [this world] three companies of ministering Angels extend to him a greeting of peace,40Tur, Asheri and Kol Bo — G. and exclaim, 'He shall enter into peace'.41Is. LVII, 2. entire passage in Ket. 104a. (And everyone that is written unto life shall be called holy).42 Is. IV, 3.'HE WILL SWALLOW UP DEATH FOR EVER; AND THE LORD GOD, WILL WIPE AWAY TEARS FROM OFF ALL FACES'.43Is. XXV, 8, cited in last Mishna of M.K. (28b) as a comforting conclusion.
