Author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein

Chapter 14: Acts of Kindness, Visiting the Sick, and Burial Laws Rabbinic Commandments of Kindness It is a positive Rabbinic commandment to visit the sick, comfort mourners, prepare for funerals, assist a bride, accompany guests, attend to all burial needs, carry a corpse on one’s shoulders, walk before the bier, […]

Chapter 13: Comforting Mourners and Limits of Grief 1. How Mourners Are Comforted After the burial, the mourners gather at the side of the cemetery. Those who attended the funeral form lines around them, with each line consisting of at least ten people, not counting the mourners themselves. 2. Words […]

Obligation of Eulogy and Burial A eulogy is considered an honor for the deceased. Therefore, heirs are compelled to pay the wages of men and women who recite laments and eulogize the deceased. If the deceased instructed that no eulogy be given, we respect that wish. However, if the deceased […]

Chapter 11: Mourning During Festivals and Wedding Celebrations Rending Garments and Bread of Comfort on Festivals Although mourning rites are not observed during a festival, one should tear his garments for the deceased and uncover his shoulder during Chol HaMoed. Similarly, mourners should receive the bread of comfort during Chol […]

Chapter 10: Mourning on Shabbat and Festivals Mourning on the Sabbath The Sabbath is counted as one of the seven days of mourning. However, mourning laws are not observed publicly on the Sabbath. Private practices such as veiling one’s head, refraining from marital relations, and avoiding washing with hot water […]

Chapter 9: Rending Garments and Mourning Honors   1. Sewing and Mending Garments After Mourning When a person tears his garments for the death of a relative other than a parent, he may sew the tear after seven days and mend it after thirty days. For the death of a […]

Chapter 8: The laws of Keriah Halacha 1: The obligation It is an obligation for an Avel to tear his clothing at the event of the passing of a relative [for which he needs to keep Aveilus]. Standing: One is obligated to perform the Keriah in a standing position. Halacha […]

Chapter 7: Shemua Kerova, Rechoka, Kohen Gadol, King Shemua Kerova vs. Shemua Rechoka Shemua Kerova: If a person hears that a close relative has died within thirty days of the death—even on the thirtieth day—the report is considered proximate. The mourner must observe seven days of mourning starting from the […]

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 5: The Matters forbidden for an Avel During Shiva Overview A mourner is forbidden 11 activities: Cutting hair Laundering clothes Washing or anointing Sexual relations Wearing shoes Performing work Studying Torah Standing bed upright (must overturn) Leaving head uncovered Greeting others Engaging in frivolity or celebrations On the first […]

Chapter 4: Minhagei Taharah Customs for Preparing the Deceased Close the eyes and tie the jaw if open. Wash the body, seal orifices, anoint with fragrances, trim hair, and dress in simple white linen shrouds. Shrouds should be inexpensive; Sages used a cloak worth a zuz to avoid embarrassing the […]

Chapter 3: The prohibition for a Kohen to defile himself to the dead Halacha 1: The prohibition and liability for lashes Any Kohen which defiles himself to any corpse other than the six relatives mentioned in the Torah, or his wife, is liable for the penalty of lashes. Witnesses and […]