Are Kohanim Allowed to Enter the Graves of Righteous Individuals?

Greetings,

1. Regarding Rachel's Tomb, there are those who permit Kohanim to enter the tent because it was built in a way that Kohanim are allowed to enter. Similarly, it is stated concerning the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. However, most poskim maintain a stringent view that Kohanim should not enter Rachel's Tomb or the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (as brought in the book Netai Gavriel Avelut part 2, chapter 21, section 2, and note 4, in the name of various esteemed Rebbes such as the Admor Rabbi Aharon of Belz, Satmar, and Lubavitch, as well as the great Rabbis R' Zvi Minzberg, R' Moshe Feinstein, R' Shlomo Auerbach, zt"l. This is also found in the book Halichot Shlomo regarding the holidays, Nissan-Av, chapter 11, section 23, and note 86, in the name of R' Shlomo Auerbach, zt"l, stating that it is completely forbidden for Kohanim to enter the building over the grave of Rabbi Shimon in Meron).

2. In practical halacha, there is no permission for this, as brought in P'tachot Teshuvah Yoreh De'ah (section 367, subsection 22) in the name of the Tshuva Beit Kohen (section 23) which states that whatever some Kohanim practice by visiting the graves of tzaddikim, they have no basis to rely upon, etc.

The Gaon the Chayei Adam stated in the introduction to his book Sha'arei Tzedek that the notion that Kohanim enter the caves of the graves of the righteous, claiming that the graves of tzaddikim do not render impurity, is a significant error and stumbling block. All courts must prevent Kohanim from becoming impure, and they should not transgress any further.

Rabbi Yisrael Mishklov, a student of the Gra, zt"l, wrote in his book P'atei Shulchan (section 2, subsection 18) that one must prevent certain people who are Kohanim from going to the graves of the tzaddikim, Tannaim, Amoraim, and Geonim, claiming that the graves of the righteous do not render impurity, and it is a mistake on their part, etc. The book Beit Yisrael (there, subsection 25) also provided clear evidence for this and concluded: "It is as clear as the sun that it is forbidden for a Kohen to go to the graves of the tzaddikim."

Also, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (section 224, subsection 14) wrote that there are ignorant Kohanim who practice going to the graves of tzaddikim, claiming that the graves of tzaddikim do not render impurity, and it is a mistake on their part and they should be rebuked.

Furthermore, see also in the responsa of Yechaveh Da'at part 4 (section 58) where he elaborated on the words of the poskim regarding this matter, concluding that Kohanim are forbidden to visit the Cave of the Patriarchs, or Rachel's Tomb, or other graves of tzaddikim. Therefore, it is a mitzvah to gently admonish Kohanim who are meticulous in the words of Hashem so that they do not involve themselves in a doubt of impurity from the Torah, thereby desecrating their priestly sanctity. To those who give admonition, it will be pleasant for them and may they receive blessings for good. This is also determined in the responsa of Even Yisrael part 8 (section 138, subsection 2). And see also a comprehensive clarification regarding this matter in the publication "Beit Aharon and Yisrael" issue 116 (pages 197- 201).

Rabbi Shlomo Auerbach, zt"l, wrote that Kohanim who come to visit the graves of tzaddikim and are careful not to take lightly the prohibition of priesthood, the merit of those tzaddikim will stand by them to fulfill their wishes (as mentioned in Halichot Shlomo there).

Best regards,

Hillel Meirs