QUESTION: A relative of the deceased has brought some soil from Jerusalem which he wishes the family to place in the coffin. The burial took place some months earlier: should the grave be opened in order to do this? What is the origin of the custom of burying with a vial of such soil?(Hannah Smith, Seattle , Washington )*
ANSWER: Burial in the Land of Israel has been sought by the pious through the ages. Jacob the Patriarch and, later, his son Joseph were taken from Egypt to be buried in Israel (Gen 49:31: 50:13). When this was impossible, some pious individuals traveled to Israel in their old age so that they might die and be buried there. As according to some speculations, resurrection of the dead will begin with the Land of Israel, burial there would ensure earlier resurrection.
In our century burials may be arranged in Israel , and some Orthodox families have done so. Others have sought to emphasize their ties with Israel by including a vial of soil from Jerusalem in their coffin. I have found no traditional sources that mention this custom.
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