Proper Size for a Tomb

m. Bava Batra 6:8

70–220

If a man sold to his fellow a place in which to make a tomb, and likewise, if a man was commissioned by his fellow to make a tomb, he must make the inside of the vault four cubits by six and open within it eight niches: three on this side, three on that side, and two opposite [the doorway]. The niches must be four cubits long, seven handbreadths high, and six handbreadths wide. R. Simeon says: He must make the inside of the vault four cubits by eight and open within it thirteen niches: four on this side, four on that side, three opposite [the doorway], one to the right of the doorway, and one to the left. He must make a courtyard at the opening of the vault, six cubits by six, space enough for the bier and its bearers. And he may open within it two vaults, one on either side. R. Simeon says: Four, one on each of its sides. R. Simeon ben Gamaliel says: All depends on the nature of the rock.

Adapted from the translation ofJoshua Kulp.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.

This ruling discusses the appropriate dimensions and layout of a burial tomb or cave. The tomb would have niches carved into the walls to accommodate the dead temporarily. Bodies were placed in the niches and left to decompose, after which the bones were collected and placed in the family ossuary. The point of disagreement in this passage focuses primarily on the number of bodies that a tomb should be able to accommodate simultaneously. Because a body would decompose in approximately a year’s time, eight or thirteen niches seems like a large number. This requirement may reflect large family size and high mortality, but it may also reflect the rabbinic concern that the dead be treated with dignity and that no body be deprived of a proper burial.

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Proper Size for a Tomb

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