Q. See questions above. What would be an example of an improper Sheimos burial?

A. On question 2918 we were asked: I have seen some people bury plastic bags full of shemos (leftover sefarim or their pages, such as sidurim, chumashim etc.) inside street excavations done primarily for fixing water or sewage pipes. They told me that these are double plastic bags, that are placed with the permission of the diggers separated from the pipes. Is that a correct thing to do?

To what we answered: Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that even if it was done with the proper licensing and permission from the correct government authorities, it is still not recommended since after all the trenches were excavated with the purpose of using it also for sewage disposal, and that lacks respect. Besides, although, the pipes are expected to last for many years, eventually the may break and leak causing desecration of the shemos. Also, being interred inside a street, lacks by itself the kovod and honor due to the holy shemos.

The Rov mentioned that the remains of a Sefer Torah or tefilin should definitely be avoided from this type of burial.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a.