Matzevah

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For other uses, see Bereavement in Judaism.

Matzevah or masseba

Nabataean ones. As a second derived meaning, it is also used for a headstone or tombstone marking a Jewish grave
.

Ras Macalister found ten Massebot in his explorations of Gezer

Etymology

The

Hebrew word matzevah is derived from a root meaning 'to stand', which led to the meaning of 'pillar'.[2]

The singular form can be found spelled as masseba, maseba, matzevah, matzeva or mazzevah, and the plural form as massebot, masseboth, masebot, matzevot or matzevoth. When used in a Yiddish-influenced context, it can take the form matzeivah.[3]

Biblical narrative

Use of the exclusive word can be found in Genesis 28:18, 28:22, 31:13, 31:45, 35:14, 35:20, Exodus 24:4, Deuteronomy 16:22 and Hosea 3:4.

In Genesis 28:22, Jacob says "and this stone, which I have set up for a matzevah, shall be God's house" and in Genesis 31:13 Yahweh says to Jacob "I am the God of Bethel [lit. "House of God"] where you anointed a matzevah and made a vow to me...".

The matzevah could also serve as a secular memorial: "Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day." (Genesis 35:20) It could also stand as a symbolic witness: upon confronting Jacob in Gilead, Laban declared "This rock-pile is a witness, and this matzevah is a witness, that I will not pass this rock-pile, and you will not pass this rock-pile and this matzevah, for evil." (Genesis 31:52)

Jewish tombstone

Based on Genesis 35:20, observant Jews traditionally erect a monument at the grave of a deceased person.[3] It can be placed either over the grave, as a footstone, or as a headstone.[3]

Three purposes can be distinguished.

cohanim) are required to avoid defilement through contact with the dead, and a marker (any marker) helps them identify a grave.[3] The name of the deceased written on a stone also allows friends and relatives to identify the grave.[3] A respectable, but unostentatious monument appropriate to heirs' fortune is also a symbolic way to honour the deceased.[3]

See also

  • Asherah pole, Canaanite object honouring Asherah, consort of Yahweh
  • Baetylus, a type of sacred stone
  • bamah
    ("High place",) elevated platform
  • Ceremonial pole
  • Lingam, abstract representation of the Hindu god Shiva
  • Menhir, orthostat, or standing stone: upright stone, typically from the Bronze Age
  • Stele, stone or wooden slab erected as a monument

References

  1. ^ Oxford Biblical Studies Online, Oxford University Press. Accessed 14 February 2022.
  2. ISBN 9780192800886. Retrieved 17 January 2022 – via oxfordreference.com. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help
    )
  3. ^ a b c d e f g The Monument ("Matzeivah"), Maurice Lamm for Chabad.org. Accessed 17 Jan 2022.

External links

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