Kohen: Dead Bodies in Workplace

Question

I am a kohein. A few months ago, I started a job as the activities director for a nursing home that is not Jewish owned, but has a lot of Jewish residents. Every now and then, a resident dies, and it can take hours before a deceased resident is removed from the building. As a kohein, I know I am not supposed to be in the building when there is a dead body present. But my boss won’t let me leave. What am I supposed to do about this?

0

Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    I think that there are too many details about the building that need to be given to make email a proper forum to answer your question clearly. I would recommend that you consider speaking with Rav Dovid Cohen, the Rabbi of Gvul Ya’avetz in Brooklyn. Rav Cohen is one of the foremost Poskim in America today and he will be able to grasp the many issues surrounding your situation. Rav Cohen can be contacted every day at 718 376 7423 between 3pm-4pm (except Tuesdays) and 10pm-11pm and he is able to answer all questions.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team