Why Do You Put a Stone on a Jewish Grave?

It is not uncommon to find stones left by visitors on graves at a Jewish cemetery.

Commonly, small stones and pebbles can be found marking a Jewish grave site. Several different stories offer explanation as to why stones are left on Jewish graves by visitors. The ancient practice extends back centuries to early Jewish life and has continued to this day.

Incomplete Monuments

As visitors continually add to the burial site which stands as a monument to the deceased, those who have passed are continually remembered and the structure never completed so that more stones can be added for all time.

Altars

Early altars to God in Judaism were made by piling rocks. By adding stones, the living erect an altar over the grave.

Visitor Count

Another reason commonly thought to be at the root of the stone tradition comes from the favorite human pastime of marking every place one visits. The stones left by visitors let others know that the grave has been visited and pays tribute to the deceased.

Medieval Tales

Graves have been thought to contain some remainder of the soul left by the departed housed therein. Some believe the origin of the practice of leaving stones may relate to the notion of creating a "barrier" to prevent the soul from leaving and haunting the living.

Interesting Fact

Ken Poch, who researched and cataloged all the Jewish graves found at Arlington National Cemetery, introduced the tradition of leaving stones at that cemetery.

References

• Kolel
• Judean Memorial Gardens
• Jewish Topics of Interest