Cremation in the Old Testament Scriptures of the Bible and in Jewish law

Abstract

This article analyzes the question of cremation in Jewish law. The author explores the practice of cremation in the Old Testament scriptures of the Bible and in rabbinic literature from Talmudic times to the present. Also, the author discusses his own experiences as a rabbi in Croatia, where cremation is quite common, and examines how this practice of non–Jews has affected the practice of Jews in Croatia. The author bases his study on a number of sources from rabbinic literature, from Talmudic times through the Middle Ages up to present–day rabbinic  practice, literature which has now been translated into the Croatian language for the first time. Hebrew and Aramaic texts were translated by the author himself.