"Cremation Controversy: Sefer Chayei Olam – Berlin 1905. Only Edition

A collection of letters from ...

"Cremation Controversy: Sefer Chayei Olam – Berlin 1905. Only Edition

A collection of letters from leading rabbis regarding the removal of graves and cremation, by R. Meir Lerner

The letters deal with a crisis that arose in 1903 when a cemetery had to be moved to make way for a new road. R. Meir Lerner, Rabbi of Altona, voiced his opinion, and was opposed by R. Chanoch Ehrentreu of Münich in a pamphlet titled Cheker Halacha (Münich, 1904). In the pamphlet before us, the author counters these objections and brings supportive letters from contemporary rabbis from all over Europe, America and Israel about the moving of graves, and the prohibition of burying those whose bodies were cremated due to wishes expressed before their death. With an additional title page in German.

Berlin 1905. Zvi Hirsch Itskovski printing. XXIV, 133, [1] pp., 25 cm. Only edition.

Rabbi Meir Lerner (1857-1930) Chief Rabbi of Altona, was a vigorous opponent of the Reform movement, especially their practice to permit cremation instead of traditional full burial. Subsequently, Rabbi Lerner refused to permit the burial of these ashes in a Jewish cemetery."