Jewish denominations often interpret the same practice in different ways. I will discuss one example of this by comparing how Modern Orthodox Jews and Conservative Jews interpret the practice of cremation in terms of whether it is permissible or not, and their reasons for thinking one way or the other. To conclude, I will reflect on the similarities and differences between those different interpretations. This discussion will show that while interpretations can vary concerning the same practice in Judaism, each is arrived at through thoughtful deliberation upon its sacred texts. The traditional understanding of cremation in Judaism is that it is a practice which is forbidden.1 We can infer that this is the case because the practice of ground burial is explicitly outlined in Jewish law as the proper way to handle the body of the deceased. If it is not followed as outlined, those involved would be complicit in the defilement of the corpse. Cremating the deceased is thus considered to be one way of rejecting the practice of ground burial. Cremation is also thought to be a rejection of God’s ownership over Creation. In other words, bodies belong to God and not to those who occupy them. This means that it is …show more content…
For example, the Rabbinical Council of America, which is an organization of Modern Orthodox rabbis, expressed at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that “it is patently incorrect.to cremate any Jew who has passed away, even if they have died from a contagious disease.”4 From this statement, we can infer that the practice of ground burial is to be carried out in all circumstances. This is consistent with the idea that Modern Orthodox Jews are unique in their view that Torah commandments are not to be adjusted in response to changes in