Ma’acholos Asuros

Question:

I noticed some people have the minhag to uproot grass when they leave a beis hakvoros. Is there a source for such a custom?

Answer:

The minhag of uprooting grass when leaving a beis hakvoros after a levaya is mentioned by the Tur in Yoreh De’ah Siman 376. The Tur also mentions the minhag of wiping one’s hands on the ground and washing hands.

The Tur explains that the reason for these minhogim are to symbolise human creation (which is from water) and death (where a person’s body returns to the earth) and the grass is to symbolise techiyas hameisim.

The Shulchan Aruch (ibid Se’if 4) also mentions this minhag. On Chol Hamo’ed however, one should not uproot grass after attending a levaya.

Many wash their hands after attending a levaya or kevura. (Some wash their face as well.) Many are makpid not to dry their hands, rather to leave the water to dry passively and many do not pass the washing cup to another person directly.