Praying at a tzaddik’s grave
Question:
May one pray at the grave of a tzaddik (a righteous individual)? Wouldn’t that be considered to be idol worship?
Answer:
Our Sages report that Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, went to pray at the Forefathers’ graves, in order to separate himself from the other Spies. Thus, this type of prayer is not idol worship.
Furthermore, praying near one’s ancestors’ graves is an ancient and widespread custom.
In contrast, idol worship, by definition, implies that one feels enslaved, controlled or indebted to someone other than God. That is certainly not the case here.
(Rabbi Achiya Shlomo Amitai)
