Daily Rambam (1) Avel Chapter 7: Shemua Kerova, Rechoka, Kohen Gadol, King (Wednesday, 25th Teves)

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Chapter 7: Shemua Kerova, Rechoka, Kohen Gadol, King

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 time he hears the news. He must tear his garments and count thirty days for restrictions such as cutting hair and other related practices, beginning from that day. The principle is that the day he hears the report is treated as if it were the day of burial.
Shemua Rechoka: If, however, he hears the news after thirty days, it is considered a distant report. In that case, he observes mourning for only one day and does not tear his garments. That day is considered both the seventh and the thirtieth day, because a portion of the day counts as a full day.

Once a mourner has observed mourning rites for part of the day, he may resume normal activities for the rest of the day.
He may wear shoes, wash, anoint himself, and cut his hair, and he is no longer required to observe mourning practices.

If a mourner hears a proximate report during a festival or on the Sabbath, and by the time the festival or Sabbath ends the report would be considered distant, the festival or Sabbath counts toward his mourning period.
Afterward, he observes only one day of mourning, and again, a portion of the day counts as a full day.

If a mourner comes to the place of death from a nearby location—within ten parseot, which is close enough to arrive in one day—even if he arrives on the seventh day, he joins the other mourners and counts the remainder of the thirty days with them. This applies even if they have already begun to rise from mourning, as long as he finds people offering comfort. If he does not find comforters, he counts for himself.
If he comes from a distant place, even if he arrives on the second day, he counts seven and thirty days for himself starting from the day he arrives.

During the first three days of mourning, a mourner should not visit the house of another mourner. After that, he may go, but he should sit with those receiving comfort, not with those offering comfort.
He should not leave the entrance of his house during the entire first week.
In the second week, he may leave his home but should not sit in his usual place.
In the third week, he may sit in his usual place but should not speak in his ordinary manner.
By the fourth week, he is like any other person.

The High Priest observes all mourning practices except that he does not tear the upper portion of his garments, does not let his hair grow long, and does not follow the bier in the funeral procession.
The entire Jewish people come to his house to comfort him.
When they bring him the meal of comfort, everyone sits on the ground while he sits on a bench.
When they comfort him, they say: “We are atonement for you,” and he responds: “May you be blessed from heaven.”
If the High Priest wishes to comfort others, the deputy positions him among the people, and he says to the mourners: “Be comforted.”

A king observes all mourning practices except that he does not leave his palace to follow the bier of his dead relative.
He does not comfort other mourners.
King David followed Avner’s funeral procession only to show the people that Avner was not killed by David’s command.

No one enters the king’s presence to comfort him except his servants and those granted permission.
They may speak words of comfort only if the king allows them.
When they serve him the meal of comfort, everyone else reclines on the ground while the king reclines on a dargesh (a special couch).