A Tent Adjacent to a Tent Containing a Corpse

Question

When there are two tents adjacent to each other, and in one of the tents there is a grave, is it permissible for a Cohen to be in the tent adjacent to it, or is it forbidden by the principle of ’lovud’ (connection)?

Answer

If the sky can be seen between the tents, is permissible. We do not apply the principle of ’lovud’ in matters of impurity. And if the sky cannot be seen between the tents, it is forbidden, even though the tents are not of the same height.

Source

The Rema wrote in Yoreh Deah, chapter 376, paragraph 4: 'Two roofs that do not touch each other, even though there is less than three handbreadths between them, are not considered connected for impurity, for we do not say lovud to be stringent. And if one was above the other, even though they do not touch, we say: ’lower and cast’, as if they touch.'
And the Bach wrote that even if the difference between the roofs is more than three handbreadths, nevertheless we say 'lower and cast' since there is a roof of a handbreadth's thickness.

Comments

Have an additional question on this topic or need clarification? Leave your comment below. (Please note that the comment will not be published but will be sent directly to the answering Rabbi for review and a private response)

Please sign up or log in to submit your comment

Become our partners in supporting and spreading the Torah. Help us answer more questions faster and better.
Next
More questions in this category
Animal suffering
Positive and Negative Commandments