The recent death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has raised a question about the appropriate gesture of sympathy for a member of the Jewish faith. In many reports, mourners have left flowers with the purpose of honoring her. While the intentions are made with only the best intentions, it should be noted that floral arrangements are not in keeping with Judaism tradition. Unlike Christian faiths where flowers are sent as a form of condolences, the Jewish feel that it is not appropriate based on three reasons according to Sam Tetrault:
- Tradition – Again, this is a tradition that goes back millennia. In the past, the Jewish people lived in arid, desert climates. Flowers were scarce, if found at all. The Jewish people used what they had, and that often meant using stones or small rocks instead of flowers.
- Equality – In the Jewish faith, there is a large belief in equality in death. This means everyone deserves an equal funeral free from expressions of wealth. If families could use flowers in their funeral process, wealthier people would have more to “show” on their grave than poor people. To avoid this, no flowers are present at all.
- Memorial – Finally, many Jewish families would rather have money that would be spent on flowers go towards something that leaves a stronger legacy. Flowers wilt quickly. This is why it’s common to see small stones on Jewish graves. Stones are long-lasting compared to flowers. Leaving a lasting impact is an important part of the Jewish faith.