Chapter 6: Restrictions during Shloshim and 12 months Duration of Extended Mourning Rabbinic law requires some mourning practices for 30 days. Source: Deuteronomy 21:13 – “She shall cry for her father and mother for a month.” Five Prohibitions for 30 Days Cutting hair Wearing freshly ironed white clothes Marrying Entering
Chapter 6: Restrictions during Shloshim and 12 months
Duration of Extended Mourning
Rabbinic law requires some mourning practices for 30 days.
Source: Deuteronomy 21:13 – “She shall cry for her father and mother for a month.”
Five Prohibitions for 30 Days
Cutting hair
Wearing freshly ironed white clothes
Marrying
Entering social celebrations
Traveling for business to another city
Cutting Hair
Forbidden for 30 days for men; women may remove hair after 7 days.
For parents: hair must grow until noticeably long or until rebuked by colleagues.
Includes nails (no cutting with utensils).
Wearing Ironed Clothes
New white ironed clothes forbidden for 30 days.
Colored ironed clothes permitted.
Linen ironed clothes permitted.
After 30 days, all permitted—even for parents.
Marriage Restrictions
Forbidden to marry for 30 days.
May consecrate immediately, even on day of death.
If wife dies:
If mitzvah of procreation fulfilled and no young children: wait three festivals before remarrying.
If not fulfilled or has young children: may marry immediately, but no relations until 30 days.
Women also forbidden relations until 30 days.
Social Gatherings
Obligatory gatherings (requital) allowed after 7 days.
Non-obligatory gatherings forbidden until 30 days.
Special Rule for Parents
Forbidden to enter friendly gatherings for 12 months when mourning father or mother.
Business Travel
For others: permitted after 30 days.
For parents: wait until colleagues insist.
Business Activity
For others: optional to reduce.
For parents: should reduce activity.
Travel Commerce
Minimize commercial activity if possible.
If not, purchase only essentials for journey and survival.
Dwelling in City of Crucifixion
Forbidden to dwell in city where close relative was crucified until body decomposes.
Exception: large metropolis—may live in other section.
Counting Partial Days
Part of 7th day counts as full day for both 7-day and 30-day mourning.
Permitted to launder, wash, and resume activities on 7th day.
Part of 30th day counts as full day—haircut and ironing allowed.
Multiple Losses or Special Cases
If hair overly long: may trim with razor (not scissors).
May wash clothes in water (not soap/sand).
May wash body in cold water (not hot).
Same leniency applies after captivity, ban, vow, or impurity when mourning overlaps.