Can any Jews help me with this odd Wikipedia Jewish Burial Custom article?

Question

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bereavement_in_Judaism#Preparing_the_body_.E2.80.94_Taharah

"One slight exception is that some Jews of German extraction ("Yekkes") will slide open the coffin on the side where the feet are located, and the closest relative places a sort of a sock on one of the feet."

I have never heard of that one before
I say odd because it has no references and is very vague ("a sort of ")

Answer 1

I commend Nicole and those who took care of the error. It is reminiscent of a certain story (joke with a moral). Here's the short version:



A righteous Jew passed away.

He left 2 wills. His lawyer was directed to reveal the contents of the first will to the bereaved family immediately. The second will was to be opened at the Shloshim (30 days later).

The first will contained one stipulation: that the deceased be buried in a certain pair of socks. His children were perplexed as Jewish law forbids burial in one's clothes. They turned to their rabbi; he explained that Jewish law prevented them from fulfilling their father's final request. The children pleaded. Their father had been a very pious and learned man; he obviously had a good reason. The rabbi refused to allow it. Further, the rabbi emphasized, the deceased had been known for his scrupulous observence of the mitzvot; he would never have wished to contradict Torah law. The children would truly be honoring his memory if they buried him without the requested socks.

The burial society concurred with the rabbi. Although the deceased left a request while he was in this world, they said, now he's in the world of truth. Rest assured that he understands that you are doing what is best.



So, the gentleman was buried without his socks. Thirty days later, the lawyer read the second will to the family:

"My dear children, by now you have surely buried me without socks. Before the contents of my estate were revealed, I wanted you to comprehend that a man can have 1 billion dollars, but in the end, he can't even take along one pair of socks!"

Answer 2

This is actually a very good question without an easy answer. First of all, I am fairly active in my Reform Synagogue and we do not have a distinct line or litmus test and I would guess at least 10% of the Synagogue is not Jewish and there are varying degrees of participation. That is, at least at the Synagogue I attend they are considered "members." Also, in my case, I would consider a specific non-Jew that practices Jewish customs as my wife. There are also the Nohadic Christians that practice many of the Jewish customs. Wikipedia defines "Noahidism (as)s a monotheistic ideology based on the Seven Laws of Noah..." "Those who subscribe to the observance of such laws and their supporting organizations are referred to as B'nei Noah (Hebrew: בני נוח), Children of Noah or Noahides" Interestingly, many of these Churches consult Rabbis about Jewish customs since traditional Christian teachings see most of the Jewish customs as superseded with the advent of Christianity. Historically, it is only with the advent of Rabbinic Judaism (after the destruction of the Second Temple) conversions were formally supervised by a Rabbi. That is, non-Jews would become Jews by solely by adopting Jewish practice.

Answer 3

I've never heard of it either. I've never heard of "Yekkes", and an inquiry to the "oracle" of Google turned up that the word "Yekkes" is a "mildly DEROGATORY" term applied to Jews of German extraction.



That lends more credence to it being a BOGUS entry, period.



Wikipedia was the source for my discovery that Yekkes is a derogatory term!



Sumptin' ain't kosher 'bout all this.



here is the wiki entry for Yekkes:

The term yekke (adjective: yekkish) (alt: Jecke or yecke) is a generally jovial, mildly derogatory term used to refer to Jews originating from Germany or adhering to the Western-European minhag. The word itself stems from a coagulation of Hebrew and Yiddish, loosely meaning "jacket". (Note that the similar-sounding Jacke does mean jacket in standard German.)



The title originates from the cultural differences in dress that developed between the more westernized Western European Jews who traded in the more traditional long coats for shorter "jackets" while the outer clothing worn by the Eastern European Jews was typically "longer" (such as bekishes.). The term is often used in a slightly derogatory or cynical manner, although it is also used as a badge of honour. It is used mainly in reference to the German Jews’ legendary attention to detail and punctuality. This sense for detail extends into the strict adherence to minhagim (religious customs, especially when pertaining to the synagogue service). Oberlanders—Jews originating from parts of Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia—are often confused with yekkes due to similar minhagim.



I'll do some investigation. I never heard of any such custom in Judaism, and I strongly suspect it is as bogus as the sex through the hole in the sheet rumor that appears to have spread in Yahoo. ( Snopes even has a page dispelling that one it was so widespread )



Hmm..perhaps Snopes already knows about this one? I'll be back with an edit if I turn up anything one way or another.



Right now, I'm doubting the veracity of the entry.

Shalom



EDIT: THUS FAR After "Googling" terms such as German Jewish burial customs socks..all I'm turning up is that mourners who sit shiva may not be wearing shoes but in stocking feet at the home...and of course the Wikipedia article that is the source of your question. And I'm turning up THIS very question! The only two sources for any such "burial custom" of German Jews amid many pages mentioning Jewish burial customs.

Answer 4

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I am one of many who work on Wikipedia articles and I removed the rather offensive (Yekkes - is a derogatory term for Jews in Germany) part of the entre. I will at some latter time see if the article needs anymore editting.



Again thank you.



Good Luck!!!

Answer 5

I am Jewish, Ashkenazic, and have NEVER heard of this.

Answer 6

I am sure it was some anti semitic person/ plain old idiot who thought he was being SO funny. it's not true! good question though!

Answer 7

im jewish and i dont get this wow