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Based on the gemara, the Shulḥan Aruch states (YD 344:16): אין אומרים בפני המת אלא דברים של מת כגון צרכי קבורתו והספד אבל שאר כל דבר אסור והני מילי בדברי תורה אבל במילי דעלמא לית לן בה Before a de...
#1: Initial revision
by
magicker72
·
2020-07-16T18:00:19Z (over 4 years ago)
Based on the gemara, the Shulḥan Aruch states ([YD 344:16](https://beta.hebrewbooks.org/tursa.aspx?a=yd_x6929)): > אין אומרים בפני המת אלא דברים של מת כגון צרכי קבורתו והספד אבל שאר כל דבר אסור והני מילי בדברי תורה אבל במילי דעלמא לית לן בה > > Before a dead body, we only speak of matters of the dead, like their burial needs or eulogy, but all other matters are forbidden; and this concerns words of Torah, but for all other matters, we don't mind. The Rambam says essentially the same thing ([Hilchot Avel 13:9](https://hebrewbooks.org/rambam.aspx?mfid=90346&rid=14869)). Ramban (cited in [Beit Yosef on Tur YD 344](https://www.sefaria.org/Beit_Yosef%2C_Yoreh_Deah.344.19)) says that "matters of the dead" are the laws of eulogy, taking out the body, and burial. Namely: Torah study encompassing practical currently needed information. On the other hand, it is common (and apparently recommended) for the people watching over the dead body before burial (sitting *shemira*) to say *tehillim* (psalms). See, for example, [here](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/367830/jewish/Selected-Psalms-to-Be-Recited-in-the-Presence-of-the-Deceased.htm) and [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shemira) and [here](https://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/115130/learning-torah-while-sitting-shmirah-for-a-met) and [here](http://www.kosherfuneral.com/volunteering.html). In order for this to be permitted, according to the *halacha* as stated above, I assume that the *tehillim* are "matters of the dead", but I don't understand in what way. Can someone please explain how saying *tehillim* is a "matter of the dead"? I would prefer a non-mystical explanation, if possible; I suppose that one exists, since R. Yosef Qaro, a very mystically-inclined person, still wrote what he wrote above in the Shulḥan Aruch.