The Proper Handling and Burial of Jewish Artifacts: A Sacred Responsibility

The burial of sacred Jewish materials is an ancient practice that has always been regarded as a communal responsibility. Whether they are scrolls, tallism or tefilot (prayer shawls or phylacteries), siddurim (prayer books), or other Jewish texts containing the Hebrew name of G-d, there is a proper method of handling these items that reflect the sacredness of their content. These materials are called shammot (pronounced SHAY-MOAT).

In the same manner as a human body is handled with dignity and care before burial, so too are sacred materials handled and there are specific guidelines and regulations to be followed in order to fulfill this sacred duty.

First and foremost these materials are to help the living. Materials in perfectly good condition should not have to be buried. New and slightly used books should be offered to other synagogues, schools, given away to libraries, senior centers, etc.  The cost involved in preparing a massive grave for a book burial is steep and we need to be careful not to be wasteful with consecrated space in our cemeteries. Therefore, when no other use can be found, should books and artifacts be brought to a genizah (book depository) for burial. (JCAM’s genizah is located at the Pultusker Chapel at the Baker Street cemetery complex in West Roxbury).

Only material with the Hebrew name of G-d should be brought for burial. Books entirely in English, German, Russian, etc. do not need to buried. Hebrew primers, literature and newspapers that do not contain the Holy Name do not need to be buried and should be separated out of the materials brought to the genizah and disposed of normally. The genizah is not a depository for personal mail, magazines,  or school papers unless the Hebrew name of G-d is found within them.

Just as we bury bodies to be returned to dust, so do we with the shammot. Therefore we ask that all materials for burial be brought to the genizah in biodegradable containers such as cardboard boxes or paper bags.

Every year JCAM assumes the responsibility of burying the shammot that have been gathered from synagogues, schools and individuals who brought them to the genizah. When the genizah is filled, JCAM arranges for the burial and provides the land. The community is invited to participate in our annual book burial where individuals will have an opportunity to place a book for burial into the massive grave.

JCAM gratefully accepts donations to help defray the cost of this sacred, communal responsibility. To find out how you can help, visit our website at www.jcam.org or call our office at 617-244-6509.

Book Burials & Communal Responsibilities

This category will discuss the communal responsibilities related to book burials and the proper care of sacred materials.

The care, maintenance and preservation of our over 100 “gardens of eternity,”  are vital on-going responsibilities that JCAM takes seriously, but also is the responsibility to properly handle the burial of worn Torah scrolls, books, and other sacred Jewish artifacts for the community.

Each year JCAM invites the community to attend and participate in our Annual Book Burial, usually held in the fall.  When our community genizah (the depository that collects and stores these artifacts) is full, JCAM arranges for the burial.

There are specific regulations regarding the burial of these materials called shammot (pronounced “shay-moat”) and we treat these sacred artifacts in the same way we treat the human body: with dignity and care. For instance, we only bury materials that contain the Hebrew name of G-d.  We ask that materials brought for burial be in biodegradable containers.

We invite you to ask questions or post comments here regarding this category or tell us what you know about the proper handling of sacred materials.