A halachic period of mourning after the passing of a close relative. There are many laws and customs relating to this period and those observing it.
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Does one mourn during the days following Shavuot?
We say the four verses starting "Yehi Shem" (instead of Tachanun) after Shavuot because of the bringing of the Korbanot. Does this have any impact on mourning after Shavuot?
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1answer
55 views
Reasoning for doing/not doing mourning customs in second half of the omer
In my observation, most people observe certain mourning customs between the beginning of sefirat ha'omer and lag b'omer (such as refraining from shaving, listening to live music, etc.). Some people ...
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Onen and Meis Mitzvah
If an onen comes across a mas mitzvah (let's assume there is either another person to be involved with the onen's personal mas or there is more time to be involved with his mas later), is the onen ...
4
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1answer
157 views
Tearing keriyah for ladies mourning in public
Is it considered to be "un-tznius" (immodest) for ladies to tear keriyah (rip their clothes in mourning) in public?
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0answers
60 views
Protocol/requirements for repeat visits to a Shiv'ah house
What are the Protocol/requirements for repeat visits to a Shiv'ah house?
Are there any formalities that can be set aside (letting them speak first, sitting with them, as opposed to chatting by the ...
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1answer
68 views
Can one switch chazzanim at non-traditional places in the service to accommodate a mourner who came late?
Can one switch chazzanim at non-traditional places in the service to accomodate a mourner who came late? For example, Reuven is asked to lead the prayers (say mincha). He says “Ashrei”, “Kaddish” and ...
3
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1answer
60 views
Aveilus for an adoptive parent
Are there any dinim of aveilus for a child that was adopted when his adoptive parents pass away? Are there any poskim that spoke about this?
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1answer
64 views
Can you go to a shul dinner if you are in aveilus?
Can you go to a shul dinner or other formal function that is for social convention and not actually enjoyable if you are in aveilus?
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55 views
Should I rend k'riyah if I witness the death of a non-relative? If so, what's the procedure?
In "Must EMTs and others rend Kriyah each time they see a patient die?", Chalutznahal cites Yoreh De'ah 40:5, which says that when I witness a fellow Jew die, I must rend my shirt out of sadness. And ...
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3answers
192 views
Must EMTs and others rend Kriyah each time they see a patient die?
I was looking at Yoreh De'ah 40:5 (יו"ד סימן ש"מ ס"ק ה) and Moed Katan 25b (כה עמוד ב), which require Kriyah (garment-rending) for all who are there at the time of death. It would seem to me that an ...
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38 views
Best practices for long-distance Nihum Aveilim and Kavod HaMeith
What are some best practices for people who learn from afar of the passing of an individual (not immediate family) and who want show their respects to the deceased and the surviving family?
If they ...
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1answer
286 views
How to Tear Kriyah
What is the proper procedure for tearing Kriyah (e.g. for Aveilus* or visiting the Kosel)?
* May we never have to do so
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1answer
51 views
Avel that needs shmira — Also on Shabbos?
That which we say an Avel (person in mourning) is among the people that need "shmirah" (Someone to be with them - See Gemorah Brachos 54b at the bottom) is this also on Shabbos? Normally we say that ...
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2answers
64 views
What is the source for lighting a candle for the whole year after the death of a close relative?
I am familiar with the idea of a yahrzeit candle.
I have observed a custom of keeping a flame alight for the whole year (or maybe 11 months) after the death of a close relative. (When one goes out, ...
6
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1answer
301 views
What are the halachot of suicide?
It used to be that a person who committed suicide was buried in a separate part of the cemetery and the relatives did not sit shiva (see Shulchan Aruch YD 345). We no longer do these things and we ...
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2answers
55 views
In Kaddish — what consolation can we offer G-d?
In the Kaddish, we say that may G-d be praised "beyond any blessing, hymn, praise, and consolation said in this world."
I understand how we can bless or praise G-d -- but how exactly (or even ...
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0answers
32 views
How to conjugate “their resting place(s)” in Kel Malei Rachamim?
The memorial prayer Kel Malei Rachamim concludes "may they rest in peace in their resting place[s], and let us say Amen."
Okay, how to say "resting place[s]." Mishkavam? Mishkaveihem? Mishkevoseihem? ...
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Use of a commoner's talis to read the Torah on
Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 153:21:
אין לקנות מעילים שנשתמש בהם הדיוט לתשמיש קדושה
One must not purchase for holy use garments that a commoner used.
"Holy use" here includes use as the ...
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0answers
127 views
Can a convert mourn for their Jewish parents?
Consider someone who was born to a jewish father and non jewish mother who then converted to Judaism with his mother. It seems pashut from the Shulchan Aruch that one who converts is considered a ...
6
votes
1answer
152 views
Does one sit shiva for someone he killed?
I understand sitting shiva to be an expression of bereavement. If I (hypothetically) was the victim of constant abuse which lasted for years and I ultimately, in an act of self defense, had to kill my ...
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2answers
108 views
May one have a torah aliyah during the mourning period
Is it okay to have a torah aliyah during the 11 month mourning period, or should one wait?
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3answers
296 views
Placing stones on a grave
My office is situated right next to a Jewish cemetery. A coworker, noticing the yarmulke on my head, asked me why he sometimes sees stones placed on some of the gravestones. I told him that as far as ...
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2answers
137 views
When there are four aveilim (mourners), Is it better to have one minyan of 40 people or 4 minyonim of ten each?
Today I was in a shul where there were four parallel mincha services because four mourners wanted to lead the services. I thought there was a principle of ברב עם הדרת מלך?
What sources are there that ...
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3answers
260 views
Meat on Rosh Chodesh of 9 days
Why is The reasoning that Sefardim do eat on Rosh Chodesh and Ashkinazim do not?
Sefardim
http://www.dailyhalacha.com/displayRead.asp?readID=950&txtSearch=meat 9 days
Ashkenazim
...
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2answers
114 views
Why are different kaddishes said by different people?
The "Mourners' Kaddish" and the "Rabbis' Kaddish" are said by mourners: either all instances are said by all mourners in the synagogue simultaneously, or each mourner gets a turn at one kaddish, or ...
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0answers
109 views
How obligated is one to say Kaddish for a deceased relative?
People often talk about an obligation -- Chiyuv -- to recite Kaddish at every opportunity for some time after the death of a relative. (Which relatives are obligated and for how long does not seem ...
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0answers
90 views
Kaddish for non-blood relatives
Does one say kaddish for a non-blood relative such as (chas v'shalom) a daughter-in-law? I know that a husband says kaddish when the parent of his wife passes away, but my understanding is that this ...
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0answers
169 views
How long does one say Kaddish for a sibling?
There is discussion here about saying Kaddish for parents and also some discussion on Kaddish for a sister. One place on the Chabad website states that Kaddish should be said for 30 days for a sibling ...
7
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2answers
655 views
If someone needs to shave during Sefirah or Three Weeks because of work, should he also shave before Shabbos?
If someone needs to shave during Sefirah or Three Weeks because of work, should he also shave before Shabbos?
It seems strange to shave for M-F, but to go into Shabbos with stubble. On the other ...
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1answer
110 views
Do we say “shabbat shalom” on Tisha b'Av that falls on Shabbat?
Yesterday I said "shabbat shalom" to someone and he said we don't do that on Tisha b'Av that falls on Shabbat. I thought that Shabbat trumps the day (and that's why we move the other observances). ...
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1answer
142 views
9 be-Av on Shabbos
When 9 be-Av falls on Shabbos, it is moved to the following Sunday.
Are there any restrictions on Shabbos because of 9 be-Av (maybe tashmish is forbidden)?
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2answers
140 views
Mundane activities on Tisha B'Av
Tisha B'Av should be spent focusing on the destruction of Jerusalem and Beit haMikdash; but is it permissible to do daily chores as well? For example, this year, Tisha B'Av is postponed one day ...
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3answers
323 views
Taking a Shower during the Nine-Days
What are the parameters for taking a shower during the 9-day period between Rosh Chodesh Av and Tisha Bav? Namely:
When is one allowed to?
When doing so what water temperature should it be set on?
...
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1answer
91 views
When do Sefardim start mourning in a year that Tisha B'av is postponed until Sunday?
As mentioned here, Sefardim observe the mourning period known to Ashkenazim as "The Nine Days" only during the week that Tisha B'av occurs.
Tisha B'av falls out on Shabbat this year (5772), and the ...
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1answer
75 views
The power of a seudat mitzvah to obviate minhagei aveilus
The prohibitions which Ashkenazim take on themselves during the nine days seem to spring from post-Talmudic thinking and application of the notion of "reduced joy." For some reason, the particulars ...
3
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1answer
64 views
Wiping hands on Tisha b'Av
Since many authorities permit wiping the hands if one does not have water to wash with, is one forbidden to wipe their hands on Tisha b'Av?
7
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1answer
157 views
When do the restrictions of 3 weeks start when 17 Tammuz is on Shabbos?
When do the restrictions of 3 weeks start when 17 Tammuz is on Shabbos (e.g. this year)?
Do they start motzei shabbos (already 18 Tammuz), since the 17 Tammuz is technically on shabbos or do they ...
12
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2answers
910 views
Proper recitation of Hamakom Yenachem
Is the proper phrase to console a mourner always the plural המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים or should it be changed depending on whom it is said to (singluar, feminine, etc.)?
4
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1answer
104 views
Tearing kriyah at the Kotel ha-Maaravi after visiting on Shabbat
Assume the following:
We should tear kriyah at the Kotel ha-Maaravi (Western Wall) if we haven't been there in 30 days.
We don't tear kriyah on shabbat.
Now, answer this question: If I go to the ...
3
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2answers
88 views
What if there's a Minyan of Aveilim?
It is my understanding that when one is in the year of mourning following the death of certain relatives, he is not allowed to lead ["daven from the amud"] certain prayers (such as those on Shabbos, ...
4
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1answer
158 views
Kibus (Laundry) During the Nine Days
The reason brought by Rashi and quoted by poskim such as the Mishna Berurah as to why we do not do laundry during the nine days (or Sefardim, in the week that the Ninth of Av falls out in) is because ...
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3answers
236 views
Shave/Haircuts during the 3 weeks
What are the reasons why a person may be able shave and/or haircut (two biiiits!- sorry, just had to) during the three weeks? Please use sources.
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4answers
207 views
What is the best way to visualize the Churban Bais HaMikdash?
It is now thousands of years since the Churban Bais HaMikdash. Many jews feel very comfortable in their surroundings. What is the best way for a person to visiualize the great loss of the Bais ...
7
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3answers
497 views
Why do we comfort a mourner with Hamakom Yenachem Eschem?
Why, when comforting a mourner at the completion of a Shiva visit, do we refer to G-d as Hamakom? We say Hamakom Yanachem Eschem - why not Hashem Yenachem or Elokim Yenachem?
6
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2answers
585 views
shiduch date haircut during sefira
Are you allowed to get a haircut during the Omer if you are going on a shiduch date?
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0answers
45 views
Is one allowed to listen to music during Pesach? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Sefira Restrictions During Chol Hamoed Pesach
One of the reasons given to pushing off the Aveilus period until after Rosh Chodesh Iyar is because one should avoid ...
7
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1answer
163 views
Don't pass bread hand to hand: whose hand?
Shulchan Aruch (OC 167:18) says (in my own translation):
The one who slices the loaf of bread places a slice before each person. The individual then takes the slice with his hand. The one who ...
5
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1answer
173 views
7
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1answer
81 views
Counting Sheloshim for a chol hamoed death
How long is the shloshim observed for a death which occurs during chol hamoed Pesach? Does one observe a full thirty days started from the funeral or is it shortened because of the chag?
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1answer
143 views
Dancing on Yom Haatzmaus
One is not allowed to dance during the mourning days of s'firas haomer (Mishna B'rura 493:3). According to all major customs, Yom Haatzmaus (Israel's independence day) falls during the mourning days ...
