"Speak unto the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them, none shall make himself
unclean through contact with the dead." Leviticus 21:1
The priests were admonished not to come
in contact with the dead, since this would render them unfit to serve in the Temple. This rule was relaxed
only in a situation which involved close relatives.
During the moments of personal grief we tend to become absorbed with the loss we sustained. our weakness
and personal sentiments often take over our entire perspective on life during moments in which we confront death. This
is the Torah's message: Even in our deepest grief, we must be careful not to neglect our other duties.
