Siman - Berachos Daf 18
- Relative is exempt even when not in front of deceased
The Mishnah on 17b states that someone who is required to bury his dead relative, who is right now in front of him, is exempt from mitzvos.
According to Rav Ashi, he is exempt from all mitzvos, even when not in the presence of the deceased.
Rav Ashi learns this from Avraham and the burial of Sarah. The pasuk says, And Avraham arose from the presence of his dead, followed by the next verse after Avraham had walked away, … that I may bury my dead from before me.
- Beware mocking the dead
One is not permitted to wear tefillin, learn from a sefer or wear his tzitzis out in a cemetery. Doing so is considered mocking the dead (לעג לרש), because they can’t do mitzvos anymore.
- Are dead aware of worldly events?
In discussing the question of whether the dead are aware of worldly events, the Gemara relates the story of a chasid who successfully planted his crops each year based on forecasts he overheard from two spirits talking in a cemetery.
