6. Mourning the passing of a Rebbe:[1]

Before burial: If one’s Rebbe from whom one learned [majority[2]] of his wisdom passes away, he is to keep the [mourning] laws of Aninus, although he is to recite blessings and make a Zimun.[3] The student may not eat meat or drink wine after the passing of his main Rebbe, so long as the body is in his presence.[4] Some[5] rule it is proper for the student to avoid eating meat and wine until after the burial.

After burial: [After the burial] he is to mourn him through removing his leather shoes, and he is to follow all the other laws of mourning for one day.[6] He is also to switch his place in the Shul.[7] It is not necessary to keep the Aveilus for the entire day, and even part of the day suffices.[8]

Nullifying the learning in the Beis Midrash:[9] If a Rabbinic leader passes away, throughout the Shiva his students are not to gather in his Beis Midrash to learn Torah, and are rather to learn in groups of two in their own homes.

Av Beis Din passes away:[10] If the Av Beis Din of the community passes away, then all the Batei Midrash of the city are to nullify their learning, and are to change their area of sitting in the Beis Midrash.

Nassi passes away:[11] If the leader of the generation passes away, then all the Batei Midrash in all areas in which a eulogy is given, are to nullify their learning. After the Hesped, they are not to return to the Beis Midrash to learn Torah, and are rather to learn in groups of two in their own homes. The entire city is to Daven in the home of the Avel, both during the week and on Shabbos, with exception to Kerias Hatorah of Monday’s, Thursday’s and Shabbos, which is read in Shul. They are not to walk around the marketplace and are rather to gather family by family and mourn throughout the day. Despite the above, one does not follow other mourning customs after the passing of the Nassi [even on this first day of Shiva, unless he was one’s personal Rebbe].[12]

Visiting the cemetery:[13] On the seventh day of Shiva for the passing of a leader, Torah scholar and Gaon, the [students] are to go to the cemetery and visit his grave. The same applies for the day of Shloshim, and conclusion of the 12 months. They are also to perform a Hashkava ceremony.[14]

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[1] Michaber 242:25; 374:10; Moed Katan 25b; Taz 340:4 in name of Rokeiach

[2] See Rama 340:8 regarding Keriah that so is the custom; Nitei Gavriel 53:3; 126:7 who learns Rabbo Hamuvhak; Rabbo Muvhak refers to one from who one has learned majority of his Torah from. [Rama 242:4; Michaber 242:30; See Bava Metzia 33; Sheilasos 131] The Michaber ibid does not limit the above law to a main teacher.

Nassi/Gadol Hador: It is not necessary to mourn the passing of the Nassi [Michaber 374:11] unless he was his main teacher.

[3] Michaber 374:10; Yerushalmi Brachos chapter 3

[4] Michaber 242:27; Rama 341:1 in name of Yeish Omrim; Hagahos Ashri; Taz 374:5; Shach 341:10

[5] Taz 374:5 in name of Rashal

[6] Michaber 374:10; Rambam 9:12; Moed Katan 25b

[7] Rama 374:10; Beis Yosef in name of Rabbeinu Simcha

[8] Michaber 242:25; Rama 274:10 regarding changing areas in Shul; Taz 374:5; Taz 340:4 in name of Rokeiach that a student is required to sit Shiva for one day or one hour, for the passing of his teacher.

[9] Michaber 344:18; Tur 344 in name of Rosh, in name of Ravaad

[10] Michaber 344:18; Tur 344 in name of Rosh, in name of Ravaad

[11] Michaber 344:18; Tur 344 in name of Rosh, in name of Ravaad

[12] Michaber 374:11; Ramban in Toras Hadam in name of Raavad

[13] Michaber 344:20; Tur 344; Rav Haiy Gaon

[14] The reason: As the soul of the deceased is elevated on the 12^th month to Heaven and does not come back down again. [Perisha 344:31