The Movement for Reform Judaism

There is no reason why we tend not to have flowers in synagogue - it was simply not a Jewish tradition, but there is nothing inherently objectionable to them. In fact, there is actually one day of the year when we are obliged to have flowers - on Shavuot, which celebrates the Revelation at Mount Sinai and the giving of the Ten Commandments. Flowers are used to decorate the synagogue as a reminder of Mount Sinai, which is not a barren area, but full of flowers and greenery. It could be that it was thought best not to have flowers at other times so as to distinguish Shavuot from the rest of the year - and it certainly does stand out in that respect because it is so rare - while I suspect that because flowers became a regular feature of church life, some rabbis felt that it would be wrong to imitate that. However, there is no reason why people who wish to bring flowers on special occasions (a wedding or bar/Batmitzvah) should not do so.

The same "it's-not-traditional-but- perfectly-okay-if-you- want" response applies to Jewish cemeteries. Flowers are usually absent in Orthodox cemeteries in Britain, but they are permitted in Reform ones. I know many people find it helpful to bring flowers to a cemetery - be it at a funeral, stone-setting or ordinary visit. The act of choosing an appropriate bunch, and then placing them on the grave, can express emotions for which words are not sufficient. It also helps to be 'doing something' when matters of life and death are out of one's control and you can only react to what is happening around you. The phrase 'say it with flowers' is much more than an advertising slogan and can be enormously helpful. 

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