Question: Can some non-Jews - such as intermarried - be buried in Jewish cemeteries?
Would a Reform rabbi allow the burial of a non-Jew in a Jewish cemetery in some cases? An example would be a father who did not convert but who fully agreed to raise his children in the Jewish tradition and participates in the reform synagogue as a member. Would he be prevented from being buried in a Jewish cemetery?
Answer: Thank you for your question about burial of non-Jews in Jewish
cemeteries. You raise the example of a non-Jewish man who actively
participated in the Jewish community and in raising his children as
Jews with his Jewish wife. You ask if the traditional prohibition
against burying such a man in a Jewish cemetery is based in Jewish
law.
The Talmud forbids "burial of the wicked with the righteous" (B.
Sanhedrin 47a). That is understood by most traditional commentators
as a prohibition on the burial of Jews and non-Jews in the same
cemetery. Another passage, however, states that Jews should bury
"heathens" for the sake of maintaining peace (B. Gittin 61a). Rashi, the most authoritative commentator on the Talmud, rules that it is permissible in some cases for Jews to bury non-Jewish dead, but not in a Jewish cemetery.
The prohibition on burying non-Jews in Jewish cemeteries is observed
today by Orthodox and Conservative Jews. It is an interpretation
that is well established over many centuries.
Reform Judaism, however, takes a different position. As early as
1914, Reform rabbis have ruled that it is permissible to bury the
non-Jewish spouses of Jews in Jewish cemeteries. This position is
based on several factors: 1) The Talmud passage restricting "burial
of the wicked" refers to criminals, not non-Jews, 2) The passage that supports the burial of "heathens" alongside Jews seems to apply
better to contemporary concerns, 3) Only individual graves, not
cemeteries as a whole, are considered sacred in Jewish law -- one
grave does not affect the sanctity of another.
This Reform position, however, does not sanction non-Jewish burial
rites in a Jewish cemetery or the officiation of non-Jewish clergy in a Jewish cemetery. Most Reform Jewish communities do not permit
either.
Regarding the example you raised in your question, virtually all
Reform rabbis and congregations would allow the burial of such a
man in a Jewish cemetery. Many contemporary Jewish cemeteries have
sections designated for the burial of Jews and non-Jews together.
Far from being regarded as "wicked," a non-Jew who commits to
building a Jewish home, supporting Jewish community, and raising
Jewish children should be honored in the context of Reform Judaism.
I hope this answers your questions.
Best wishes,
Rabbi Jeffrey W. Goldwasser
