1. The Mitzvah of Nichum Aveilim

* This article is an excerpt from the above Sefer *As an Amazon Associate I earn from  qualifying purchases. Buy in Paperback, Kindle, and Audio Buy on Apple Books Buy on Website Enroll in Aveilus Course + Semicha 1. The Mitzvah of Nichum Aveilim: It is a great Mitzvah to […]

Animal mercy killing – May one kill a sick or injured creature in order to relieve it from its suffering?

Animal mercy killing – May one kill a sick or injured creature in order to relieve it from its suffering? Background:[1] The general prohibition of killing a creature: It is Biblically forbidden to actively cause pain to any[2] living creature[3] unless doing so serves some purpose to humanity, such as […]

6. Fragrance/Besamim in a Shiva home:

* This article is an excerpt from the above Sefer *As an Amazon Associate I earn from  qualifying purchases. Buy in Paperback, Kindle, and Audio Buy on Apple Books Buy on Website Enroll in Aveilus Course + Semicha 6. Fragrance/Besamim:[1] The Shiva home is not to be sprayed with fragrance, […]

5. Food in a Shiva home:

* This article is an excerpt from the above Sefer *As an Amazon Associate I earn from  qualifying purchases. Buy in Paperback, Kindle, and Audio Buy on Apple Books Buy on Website Enroll in Aveilus Course + Semicha 5. Food A. Serving refreshments: Visitors eating in the Shiva home: The […]

4. Preparing the Shiva home:

4. Preparing the Shiva home: A. Low stools and chairs: The mourners are required to sit on low stools throughout the Shiva, as explained in Chapter 19 Halacha 2. One is to thus arrange for low stools or crates to be brought to the Shiva home for the sake of […]

2. Cover mirrors and pictures:

2. Cover mirrors and pictures: The custom is to cover all mirrors in the Shiva home.[1] Likewise, the custom is to cover all pictures of people in the Shiva home.[2] [Alternatively, one can simply remove them or turn them around.] Some permit leaving pictures of great Torah sages and Tzaddikim. […]

3. Lighting a candle:

3. Lighting a candle:[1] A [single[2]] candle is to be lit throughout the Shiva.[3] [Some are accustomed to light the candle using olive oil, although most people light a wax candle.[4] A seven-day wax or oil candle should be used for this purpose. If one cannot find a seven-day candle, […]