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Religion & Law

: Religion Clause

New Jersey Environmental Officials Challenge Ritual Burial of Holy Objects

By Howard M. Friedman

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Jewish religious law requires shaimos-- certain worn out religious items such as old books containing the name of God and certain religious garments-- to be disposed of by burial instead of merely being thrown into the trash. Asbury Park (NJ) Press last week reported on a lawsuit in state court in New Jersey in which the state Department of Environmental Protection is attempting to require Rabbi Chaim Abadi to dig up truckloads of shaimos buried in two different sites in New Jersey. Apparently state environmental officials were present at the first site (in Jackson, NJ) when the burial took place and "looked the other way." However after a second site in Lakewood, NJ was used, officials objected to both saying they are near a water well and protected wetlands. An April article from the Asbury Park Press says that over 2000 bags of sacred Jewish texts and clothing were disposed of at the Lakewook location. Rabbi Abadi has found another site at a Lakewood Jewish cemetery to which the shaimos could be removed. However that also requires Department of Environmental Protection approval and so far that has not been forthcoming. Apparently environmental officials are claiming that the shaimos constitutes solid waste and must be moved to a licensed landfill.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on October 18, 2010 (boomark / email).