Orthodox Rabbis Seek Amendment of Embalming Laws

The Union of Orthodox Rabbis in the United States and Canada will take steps to bring about an amendment of the regulations concerning the embalming of the dead in such states where regulations to this effect have been enacted, Rabbi Israel Rosenberg, president of the Union, announced yesterday.

The regulations, particularly those of the Board of Embalmers of the State of New Jersey, adopted July 1, 1927, when applied to the Jewish dead, it was declared, are a direct violation of the prescriptions of the Jewish religious code in view of the fact that under the regulations the bodies of persons dying of a contagious or infectious disease are to be given an arterial injection of an approved embalming fluid. This involves the cutting of the body and the letting out of blood, which is, in the view of the Jewish religious law, dishonoring the dead, and is prohibited in accordance with paragraph 363, Yoreh Deah, and in accordance with the interpretations contained in the Responsa of ancient rabbis.

Embalming is contrary to Jewish religious tradition, Rabbi Selzer, secretary of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis, stated in behalf of the organization. Specific objection is taken to the practice of letting out blood, which requires burial as is specified in paragraph 364, Yoreh Deah, Rabbi Selzer stated.

At a special meeting held at the offices of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis under the chairmanship of Rabbi Rosenberg, the New Jersey regulations and bills to the same effect said to be pending in other state legislatures, including New York and Ohio, were discussed.

A special committee consisting of Rabbi J. Siegel, Rabbi Chaim Bloch, Rabbi I. Rosen, Rabbi M. Guzik and Rabbi A. D. Burak, was appointed to inquire into the subject and to seek amendments to the regulations.