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.

Avel is sleeping elsewhere:[3] The above custom of covering mirrors and pictures applies also to the home that an Avel is sleeping in at night, even if it is a different home than the Shiva home.

Shabbos: Some[4] write the custom is to cover the mirrors even on Shabbos. Others[5] write the custom is to remove the covers some time before Shabbos.

Onen: Some[6] write that even an Onen is to cover the mirrors.

[1] Drashos Chasam Sofer 2:387; Darkei Hachaim 32:6; Chelek Levi 132; Ginzei Yosef 143; Darkei Chesed p. 33; Nitei Gavriel 92:6; Pnei Baruch 10:4

The reason: Several reasons are recorded behind the above custom: 1) This is in exchange of the law of turning over the beds, which is done in order to diminish the area that was used as a medium to create children. We thus cover mirrors which is also a medium for a couple. [Drashos Chasam Sofer 2:387 based on Yerushalmi Moed Katan 5] 2) Alternatively, it is done in order so one does not pray in front of a mirror. [Chelek Levi 132] 3) Alternatively, it is done because evil spirits are found in the home during Shiva and we do not want their image visible in the mirror. [Ginzei Yosef 143] 4) Alternatively, it is done because when a person looks at a mirror, spirits are able to enter into his image found in the mirror and cause him damage after death. Therefore, we cover it during Shiva as there are more spirits found at this time. [See Gesher Hachaim in name of Yearos Devash, brought in Darkei Chesed ibid] Alternatively, it is done to diminish in joy. [Dibburei Emes 387]

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[2] Darkei Chesed p. 33 based on Yerushalmi ibid; Pnei Baruch 10:4; Nitei Gavriel 92:6;

[3] Darkei Hachaim 32:6

[4] Nitei Gavriel 115:14

[5] Nachamu Ami p. 51

[6] Darkei Chesed p. 33 says to cover at time of Petira; Nitei Gavriel 25:7, however see Nitei Gavriel 80:15 that he contradicts himself